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Chamorro red rice
Hineksa' agaga': Guam's achiote fiesta rice
Red rice, hineksa' agaga', is on the table at every Chamorro fiesta, christening and Sunday barbecue in Guam and the Northern Marianas, its sunset colour coming from achiote (annatto) seeds soaked in water. The rice is cooked with onion and garlic and sometimes peas; it is soft, savoury and mild, the perfect side for grilled chicken, kelaguen and finadene. A common mistake is leaving the seeds in the rice; they're tough and bitter, so soak and strain them. Chef's tip: rub the soaking seeds between your fingers to release more colour.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp achiote (annatto) seeds
- 3 ¼ cups hot water
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 onionfinely chopped
- 3 cloves garliccrushed
- 14 oz medium-grain ricerinsed
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- 3 ½ oz frozen peas (optional)
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Soak 2 tbsp achiote (annatto) seeds in 3 ¼ cups hot water for 15 minutes, rubbing the seeds now and then, until the water is deep red-orange. Strain and discard the seeds.
15 minStep 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a pan with a lid and fry 1 onion for 4 minutes until soft. Add 3 cloves garlic for 1 minute.
5 minStep 3: Add 14 oz medium-grain rice and stir to coat, then pour in the achiote water and 1 ½ tsp salt.
2 minStep 4: Bring to the boil, cover tightly, lower the heat and cook for 18–20 minutes until the water is absorbed. Scatter over 3 ½ oz frozen peas for the last 5 minutes.
20 minStep 5: Turn off the heat and rest, covered, for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
5 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 260 kcal
- Protein
- 5 g
- Carbs
- 52 g
- Fat
- 4 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does chamorro red rice take?
- About 45 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of garlic?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
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