Garlic Lime Rice

I’m big on declaring years and summers and seasons.  There was the Summer of Pickles, not to be confused with The Summer of Preserving, Putting up and Pickling.  And then there was The Summer of My Herbs, which was really supposed to be The Summer of My Garage, but thankfully I came to my senses.  But lurking somewhere in my mind, I had a vague recollection of a declaration on side dishes…oh wait, here it is, The Spring of Side Dishes.  

Don’t bother searching my blog for other posts having to do with The Spring of Side Dishes.  I’m big on declaring things, I’m not big on following up on them.  But be that as it may, that does not underscore the importance of a good side dish.  I am again, starting to think about side dishes and getting a few good ones into the rotation.  My favorite place to find side dish ideas is Cuisine at Home’s Weeknight Menus.  Because each menu has a side dish.  There are vegetable, pasta, rice and salad side dishes.  So, when I was needing to fancy up some rice, that is where I turned.

As usual, they didn’t disappoint.  This garlic lime rice is easy (I did it in my rice cooker) and wonderfully flavorful.  The combination of lime, garlic, and cilantro can go with just about anything!

Garlic Lime Rice

• 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 T. olive oil
• 1 cup dry long grain white rice
• 2 cups water
• 2 T. fresh lime juice
• 1 t. Kosher salt
• 2 T. minced fresh cilantro
• 2 t. lime zest, minced

Saute the garlic in oil over medium-high heat in a saucepan, until golden. Stir in rice and saute 2 minutes.

Add water, lime juice and salt and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer until water is absorbed, about 20 minutes.  Stir in cilantro and lime zest.