Sopa de arroz, a traditional Mexican rice soup, is a comforting and flavorful dish that will warm your heart and satisfy your taste buds.
This soup offers a delightful combination of textures and aromas, made with simple ingredients such as rice, tomatoes, onions, and garlic.
Whether enjoyed as a light meal or a hearty starter, sopa de arroz is a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and get ready to indulge in the comforting flavors of this classic Mexican soup.
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Why you’ll love this Sopa de Arroz recipe
- Rich and Savory Flavor: Sopa de Arroz offers a delightful combination of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. The long-grain rice is perfectly cooked and infused with the savory blend of tomato, onion, garlic, black pepper, and cumin. Each spoonful delivers a comforting and aromatic experience that will leave you craving more.
- Easy and Versatile: This recipe is straightforward to prepare, making it a convenient option for a delicious homemade meal. You can quickly whip up a satisfying pot of Sopa de Arroz with simple ingredients and detailed instructions. It can also be enjoyed as a standalone dish or a flavorful accompaniment to your favorite Mexican or Latin American-inspired meals.
- Hearty and Nourishing: Sopa de Arroz is a vital and nourishing soup that provides a satisfying and comforting meal. The combination of rice and flavorful seasonings creates a dish that is not only delicious but also fulfilling. It’s a perfect choice for those looking for a wholesome and satisfying meal to warm their hearts and energize them.
What ingredients do you need?
- Long grain rice: A staple ingredient in many cuisines, long grain rice adds a hearty and comforting element to the soup. It cooks up fluffy and absorbs the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Tomato: The tomato lends its vibrant color and tangy-sweet taste to the soup, providing a refreshing and slightly acidic note to balance the richness of the rice.
- Onion: Diced onion adds aromatic flavors and a subtle sweetness to the soup. It enhances the overall taste profile and complements the other ingredients.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic brings an intense and distinct flavor to the soup. Its aromatic qualities add depth and complexity to the dish.
- Black pepper: Ground black pepper adds subtle spiciness and mild heat to the soup, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Oil: Oil is used for browning the rice and adds a rich, smooth texture. It also helps in evenly distributing the flavors.
- Cumin: Cumin adds an earthy and warm flavor to the soup. It provides a slightly smoky and nutty undertone, enhancing the overall depth of the dish.
- Chicken bouillon cube: The chicken bouillon cube is a potent flavor enhancer that infuses the soup with savory notes. It contributes to the overall richness and adds depth to the dish.
- Water: Water is used to cook the rice and blend the ingredients, forming the soup base. It allows the flavors to meld and creates a harmonious texture.
Customizations and substitutions
- Long grain rice: A staple ingredient in many cuisines, long grain rice adds a hearty and comforting element to the soup. It cooks up fluffy and absorbs the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Tomato: The tomato lends its vibrant color and tangy-sweet taste to the soup, providing a refreshing and slightly acidic note to balance the richness of the rice.
- Onion: Diced onion adds aromatic flavors and a subtle sweetness to the soup. It enhances the overall taste profile and complements the other ingredients.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic brings an intense and distinct flavor to the soup. Its aromatic qualities add depth and complexity to the dish.
- Black pepper: Ground black pepper adds subtle spiciness and mild heat to the soup, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Oil: Oil is used for browning the rice and adds a rich, smooth texture. It also helps in evenly distributing the flavors.
- Cumin: Cumin adds an earthy and warm flavor to the soup. It provides a slightly smoky and nutty undertone, enhancing the overall depth of the dish.
- Chicken bouillon cube: The chicken bouillon cube is a potent flavor enhancer that infuses the soup with savory notes. It contributes to the overall richness and adds depth to the dish.
- Water: Water is used to cook the rice and blend the ingredients, forming the soup base. It allows the flavors to meld and creates a rhythmic texture.
What to serve with sopa de arroz
Sopa de arroz is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with complementary sides. Here are some ideas on what to serve with sopa de arroz:
- Tortillas: Warm up some corn or flour tortillas and serve them alongside the soup. You can enjoy the soup by dipping the tortillas or making mini tacos.
- Avocado: Sliced or diced avocado adds creaminess and freshness to the soup. Serve it on the side, or garnish the soup with avocado cubes.
- Lime wedges: Squeeze fresh lime juice over the soup to add a tangy citrus flavor. The lime’s acidity cuts through the soup’s richness and enhances the overall taste.
- Cilantro: Chopped fresh cilantro can be sprinkled on the soup as a garnish. Its bright and herbaceous flavor complements the earthy and savory notes of the sopa de arroz.
- Queso fresco: Crumble some queso fresco, a mild and crumbly Mexican cheese, on top of the soup. It adds a creamy and slightly salty touch to the dish.
- Grilled or roasted vegetables: Serve Sopa de arroz alongside grilled or roasted vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, or corn. The smoky flavors and tender texture of the vegetables complement the soup nicely.
- Mexican-style shredded chicken: If you prefer a heartier meal, serve the sopa de arroz with some Mexican-style shredded chicken—the savory and seasoned chicken pairs well with the flavors of the soup.
- Side salad: Create a fresh and vibrant side salad to accompany the soup. Use a mix of leafy greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and radishes with a light vinaigrette. The crispness of the salad provides a nice contrast to the warm and comforting soup.
Remember, these are just suggestions; you can customize the accompaniments based on your preferences. Enjoy experimenting and creating a meal that suits your taste!
How to refrigerate, freeze and thaw
To refrigerate the sopa de arroz, let it cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, transfer the soup to an airtight container or cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Place it in the refrigerator, which can be stored for 3-4 days.
If you want to freeze the sopa de arroz for more extended storage:
- Ensure that it has cooled down to room temperature.
- Transfer the soup to a freezer-safe container, leaving some space at the top for expansion.
- Seal the container tightly and label it with the date. The soup can be frozen for up to 3 months.
When it’s time to thaw and reheat the soup, there are a few options:
- Refrigerator thawing: Transfer the frozen soup from the freezer to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight. Once completely thawed, reheat the soup on the stovetop or microwave until it reaches the desired temperature.
- Stovetop thawing: If you need to thaw the soup more quickly, you can do so on the stovetop. Place the frozen soup in a pot and heat it over low heat, stirring occasionally until it has thawed completely. Then, increase the heat to medium-low and continue to simmer until it is heated through.
- Microwave thawing: You can use the microwave for a faster thawing method. Transfer a portion of the frozen soup to a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in short intervals, stirring occasionally, until it has thawed completely. Once thawed, heat in the microwave in 30-second increments until it is warmed to your desired temperature.
Ensure that the soup is heated thoroughly before serving. Stir well and adjust the seasonings if necessary before enjoying the reheated soup.
Sopa de Arroz
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoon oil
- 2 1/4 cup long grain rice
- 1 tomato
- 1/2 onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 3 3/4 cup water
- 1 chicken boullion cube
Instructions
- Pour the oil in a pan over medium heat. .Add the rice and cook for 2 minutes or until slightly translucent.
- While the rice is cooking place the tomato, onion, garlic cloves, pepper, cumin, water and boullion in the glass of a blender. Pulse until smooth.
- Pour over the rice and stir to combine. Cover and cook for 25 minutes or until the rice is done.
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