Cilantro-Lime Rice

Gonza Tacos y Tequila, Cary, NC

Living in Raleigh, one of my favorite restaurants is Gonza Tacos y Tequila. They have an amazing veggie quesadilla that I will recreate at home one day. Their salsa is also top notch, which is perfect for my tortilla chip addiction. More than anything, I am very fond of their rice side dishes; they serve Cilantro Rice and Coconut Rice. It was a unique variation that caught my attention because I am a bit bored with the traditional Arroz Rojo that is typically served at Mexican restaurants. Gonza is Columbian/Mexican fusion, and I highly recommend a visit if you are a Raleigh local. Tip: arrange a dinner reservation if you go in the evening; it is typically very busy.

Side Dish

Gonza’s Cilantro Rice inspired me to create my own rice side dish for my soup and quesadilla nights at home, so I hurried off to the grocery store the other day to buy a nice, fresh bunch of Cilantro and a few limes. The rice turned out so tasty, and I will be making it every time I cook anything with the words “taco,” “quesadilla,” or “black beans” in it until I create a recipe for Coconut Rice. Then I will be making it exactly half the time. Exactly.

Ugh – I said “tacos.” Now, I’m hungry. That is the most appetite-awakening word.

Quick, simple, and tasty side dish. Healthy, delicious, and flavorful. Perfect Black Bean soup topping or side.

Kitchen Tools

I bought a KitchenAid immersion/hand blender recently, and it came with a chopper attachment that I can not recommend more highly. I used it to mince the cilantro leaves for this recipe in 2 seconds flat; it is so fast and unbelievably easy to use and clean. I use it to quickly chop or mince herbs for all my recipes, and it saves me a ton of prep time.

I tried to stop, but I am still thinking about tacos.

Sharing

Hope you love making my Cilantro Lime Rice at home! Please comment below and pin or tag a photo #ginger_thyme if you try this recipe. Do you prefer quesadillas or tacos? *Nom*

Thank you for reading! See you next thyme!