Guam Red Rice
Guam Red Rice is a vibrant, flavorful dish featuring achote seeds that give it a distinctive red hue and a subtle earthy taste, perfect as a side or main dish.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Soak achote seeds in 1/2 cup of warm water for 30 minutes and add salt.
- Rub or press achote seeds to extract color.
- Strain the achote-colored liquid into a small bowl.
- Sauté chopped onions in cooking oil until translucent.
- Add rinsed rice to boiling achote-colored water.
- Reduce heat to medium-high and cook for 5 minutes or until the water evaporates.
- Reduce heat to low and cook for an additional 15 minutes until rice is tender.
Tips & Substitutions
For an authentic flavor, use long-grain rice like jasmine or basmati. If you can't find achote seeds, you can use paprika for color, though the flavor will differ. Be sure to rinse the rice well before adding it to the pot to remove excess starch, which helps achieve a fluffier texture. Experiment by adding vegetables or proteins for a heartier dish.
Serving Suggestions
Guam Red Rice is a versatile side dish that pairs beautifully with grilled meats and seafood, making it an excellent addition to a barbecue or picnic. Serve it alongside dishes like grilled chicken or fish, or incorporate it into a rice bowl with fresh vegetables and your choice of protein. For a delightful twist, consider pairing it with Sweet Spiced Gherkins.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Guam Red Rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, add a splash of water to the rice and microwave it covered for about 2 minutes, stirring halfway through, or heat it gently in a pan over low heat until warmed through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Guam Red Rice contains roughly 516 calories, with 14g protein, 101g carbohydrates, and 6g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (28% of the Daily Value) and iron (21% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2916mg per serving (127% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Guam Red Rice vegan?
Absolutely! This recipe is naturally vegan as it contains no animal products. You can enhance the flavor by adding vegetable broth instead of water for cooking the rice.
How can I adjust the spiciness of the dish?
Guam Red Rice is not traditionally spicy, but if you want to add a kick, consider incorporating diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper while sautéing the onions.
What type of rice works best for this recipe?
For the best texture and flavor, use long-grain rice such as jasmine or basmati. These varieties stay fluffy and separate when cooked, making them ideal for this dish.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).