MEXICAN CILANTRO RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large saucepan, cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Return pasta to hot saucepan; set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook meat and garlic until meat is brown, stirring to break up meat as it cooks. Drain off fat.
• Stir the cooked meat into pasta in saucepan. Stir in beans, undrained tomatoes, picante sauce, oregano, cumin, and chili powder. Transfer mixture to a 1-1/2- to 2-quart casserole or baking dish.
• Bake, covered with foil, about 30 minutes or until heated through. Uncover and sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, about 3 minutes more or until cheese is melted.
• In a small bowl, stir together sour cream, 2 tablespoons of the green onions, the cilantro, and lime peel. To serve, top each serving with a spoonful of the sour cream mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining green onions.

Steps:

• Heat up a dollop of oil in a saucepan on medium-high heat
• Saute 1 cup of rice in the saucepan until lightly browned
• Add 2 cups of stock and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the rice
• Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a light simmer
• Let simmer until the liquid is absorbed
• Turn off heat and cover, letting rice sit in its own steam for a few minutes
• Rinse 1/2 bunch of cilantro and twist off the bottom stems, chopping roughly
• Add to a blender along with 2 Tablespoons lime juice and 1 garlic clove
• Add a couple tablespoons of water (or oil) and blend the ingredients together
• Add the lime cilantro mixture to the cooked rice and mix thoroughly
• Taste for salt
• Add additional cilantro if desired