I don’t eat out a whole lot. And when I do eat out, I try and avoid the fast food trap. But sometimes, every so often, I indulge. As a creature of habit, my fast food weaknesses usually take the form of either a Whopper Jr. with Cheese from BK or the Carnitas Burrito Bowl from Chipotle. I can’t defend either of these choices. They are just what calls to me from the menu board. They are the sirens that I cannot ignore.
Like secret lovers, we meet randomly. I get my fix and then try to forget how good it is. I will go weeks, months, without a taste of rice perfumed with cilantro and lime or flamed broiled goodness. But I always end up going back for more.
Is there any hope for me or am I destined to live a life of fast food loving shame? Should I don a scarlet letter to denote my flaw? Or can I somehow be forgiven for these weaknesses? When y’all have decided my fate, let me know. But don’t be surprised if you have to track me down at Chipotle to tell me. I’m a sucker for those burrito bowls like you wouldn’t believe.
Cilantro Lime Rice
Adapted from Annie’s Eats
BAH Note: My first impression of this rice is that it’s nice but not exactly as good as what the folks at Chipotle serve up. Somehow, their rice is drier and not as sticky as mine was. But in a pinch, when I can’t sneak out to secretly rendezvous with my beloved Chipotle’s, this will get me through.
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons water, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup cilantro
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the rice and stir. Return to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
While the rice cooks, place the cilantro, 2 tablespoons water, lime juice, olive oil, and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Blend until smooth and set aside
Once the rice has cooked, add the cilantro lime mixture and butter to the rice and stir to combine.
Bon Appetit Hon 
I’m a Chipotle addict, too. *blush* I love their rice!
Kitch, I had my Chipotle cilantro lime rice fix on Monday. It was fantastic. I considered going back last night. It was a hard decision but self control reigned.
this sounds great though it would send Emmie’s blood sugar sailing…….but then it is an indulgence and not an every day thing. Cilantro and lime are faves here ( don’t ask for lemon in San Antonio,…seriously, they look at you funny. I asked for a 7&7 with lemon the first time I was here and tha bartender gave me a lecture I will never forget) they do sell lemons in the grocery and the outdoor markets. But is it like trying to buy street drugs. You surreptitiously have to put them in your bag and sneak them past the cash register.
Emily, sounds like Texas is a whole ‘nother world. Fortunately, my mixed drink of choice is a vodka tonic with lime. So it will only be my accent that gives me away as an out of towner…not my request for the other citrus fruit garnish.
Tangueray and tonic for me…and by the way have you tried the blue Bombay sapphire Gin? OMG! I can drink it straight it is THAT SMOOTH! but with LIME please! so refereshing.
I miss Chipotle. I visited it weekly when I lived in Indy; it happened to be 500 yards from the office. In Louisville, there is none. Qdoba suffices but Chipotle is better. I dig the burrito bowls – but I fatten it up by eating it with those lime and salt chips. Nom.
When we have taco night at home, I always toss cilantro in the rice cooker. It gives a little more umph. But then I douse it with chicken dripping in taco seasoning. … I might have to bail on my turkey sandwich today.
Boo, no Chipotle in L’ville? Surely that must be a mistake. The chips are crack. I don’t even get them because I have no self control in their presence.
Nope. No Chipotle. We rock out with the ‘dobas though. It’s almost the same. Almost. They do have three cheese queso… but that’s really not a good thing because I guzzle it.
Boo, three cheese queso sounds awesomely dangerous. Maybe it’s a good thing that I’ve never set foot inside Q’doba.
This would make a great Choose Your Own Adventure.
I’ve been tempted to go to Chipotle and just order a huge to-go container of cilantro rice. Now I don’t have to anymore – woo hoo!
Ali, I LOVED those books. I even worked them into a blog post at some point.
Hmmm, I never thought of just buying the rice. Sometimes the obvious completely escapes me.
I think you want to make it more of a pilaf to get the discreet grains. Try melting the butter, add the rice, stir to coat for a minute or two, then add the liquid to cook rice.
Great tip Steven. I will have to give that a try. And welcome to the B’more Food Blogging community hon.
I’ll have to make this for Kenny one night. He loves white rice, but I am not a fan because it’s so…plain, I guess. But with cilantro and lime? I may change my mind.
Jen, this rice might get you to change your mind. I’ve also got an Indian(ish) rice recipe that has been floating around my folders for years and years that I need to make soon.