Arroz con Cerdo (Mexican Rice and Pork) is a traditional Mexican recipe for a classic one-pot casserole of minced pork, sausagemeat and onion in a sultana, tomato and long grain rice base flavoured with spices. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic Mexican version of: Mexican Rice and Pork (Arroz con Cerdo).
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This is a very versatile recipe that you can adjust to your own liking and what ingredients you have available. It's just as easily made with a leftover roast as with fresh pork. If adding bell pepper you can cut it into slivers, dice it or cut into rings, the style should be up to you.
Ingredients:
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped
500g minced (ground) pork (or use left-over cooked pork, chopped)
225g sausage-meat
2 celery sticks, cut into 2.5cm pieces
1 small green bell pepper, de-seeded and sliced into rings (or use a diced red bell pepper)
75g sultanas (or seedless raisins)
1 garlic clove, crushed
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 small, hot, dried red chilli, crumbled
salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
175g long-grain rice, washed and soaked in cold water for 30 minutes, then drained
425g tin of peeled tomatoes
125ml water
2 tbsp tomato purée
juice of 1/2 lemon
2 tbsp pine nuts
Method:
Heat the oil in a flameproof casserole dish. Add the onion and fry until soft. Stir in the minced pork and sausagemeat, then fry until the meat is no longer pink.
Stir in the vegetables, sultanas, garlic, cumin, chilli and seasonings. Mix well, then stir in the soaked rice and fry for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add the tomatoes (and any juice from the can) along with the water and tomato purée and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the casserole and simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer the casserole to an oven pre-heated to 180°C and bake for 25 minutes.
Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the lemon juice and pine nuts over the top. Return to the oven and bake, uncovered, for a further 10 minutes.
Take out of the oven and serve immediately, straight out of the casserole dish.
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