Today I’m taking you on a Mexican adventure, with this delicious Mexican Rice recipe.  I would say that I definitely overlook Mexican food, even though it is so delicious; from chicken wraps and tacos to cheesy nachos – there is so much to choose from.  So let’s start with this gorgeous recipe.

Ingredients

Preparation & Cooking Time:  50 mins – 1 hour

Serves: 8-10 people

• 340g of very ripe tomatoes (or tinned tomatoes)
• 1 medium white onion
• 3 medium (jalapeno) chillies
• 2 cups long grain white rice
• 78ml cooking oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste (you can may omit if using canned tomatoes)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 lime

Method

Preheat oven to 350 ?C

Blend the tomato and onion in the blender (or processor) until pureed and thoroughly smooth. Transfer the mixture to measuring cup and reserve exactly 2 cups.  Remove the seeds and the middle part of the chilies and discard. Finely chop the chilies and set aside.

Rinse the rice with cold running water, until the water becomes clear – about 1 ½ minutes.  (This is a very important step to ensure that your rice is fluffy and not sticky).  On a low-medium heat, heat the oil in a large oven safe pan (about 12 inches), for 2 minutes.  Add rice and fry, stirring until it is light golden and translucent, about 6-8 minutes.  Reduce the heat to medium, add garlic and chopped chili and cook, stirring constantly until it becomes fragrant, 1 ½ minutes.  Stir in the broth, pureed mixture, tomato paste, and salt. Increase the heat to medium high, and bring to a boil.

Cover the pan and transfer it to the oven to bake until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is cooked, 30-35 minutes.  Make sure you stir half way through.

Serving

Serve hot, you can enjoy it on its own or with a side of salad and meat or chicken. You can also squeeze a bit of lime over the rice for extra flavor.

Leftovers are just as delicious so you can enjoy this rice the next day as well.  Enjoy!

 

Kanta Temba is a cake maker and decorator. She is also the owner and founder of Kanta Kakes – cake shop.

You can find her work on www.kantakakes.com.  Follow her on twitter @KantaKakes and Instagram @KantaTemba.

 

 

 

The opposition UPND on Monday officially kicked off their campaign rallies with Party President Hakainde Hichilema assuring the people of Chongwe were the rally was held that he will ensure food security and stability once elected president.

Mr Hichilema emphasised the need to diversify the economy as a means to create jobs for Zambians and committed to providing clean drinking water and sanitation services not only to the people of Chongwe but but the nation at large.

Speaking at the same rally UPND Vice President Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia ECZ not to be impartial in their dealing with all the contesting political parties.

He reiterated that the current PF cabinet was in office illegally and wasting taxpayers money at the expense of priority areas.

And UDF President Miles Sampa warned the PF against fanning violence in the country as a recipe for anarchy.

Former Vice President Dr. Guy Scott called on Zambians to turnout in numbers and vote for Mr. Hichilema and avoid a rerun of elections.

Dr. Scott said there was nothing that remained in the PF, as all the original members who knew late President Michael Sata well have left and now joined hands with the UPND.

UPND National Chairperson Mutale Nalumango called on the women in Zambia to voice out by coming out in numbers to vote as they were the most affected by the
current economic crisis.

Former Chongwe MP Silvia Masebo bemoaned the continued repression in the country.
Ms. Masebo revealed that initially the UPND rally was supposed to be in Chongwe town but it was cancelled last minute on account of the first lady Esther Lungu going to Chongwe for a function.

She called on the UPND President Hakainde Hichilema and his leadership to seriously address the agriculture problem in Chongwe, as well as to invest in more schools as the
area is expanding.

Others who spoke at the rally included former Kafue MP Obvious Mwaliteta, Mpongwe MP Gabriel Namulambe, and other senior party officials.

The United Party for National Development (UPND) and Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation-ZNBC have resolved their stand-off on airing UPND’s political adverts.

UPND Spokesperson Charles Kakoma says this follows a productive meeting with ZNBC management this morning.

Mr. Kakoma says his party hopes that the spirit of cooperation with ZNBC will continue throughout the campaign.

This is according to a statement issued to ZNBC news in Lusaka today.

And ZNBC Corporate Affairs Manager Masuzyo Ndhlovu says ZNBC has accepted four out of the six UPND adverts.

Mr. Ndhlovu says the other two adverts had contents which in the view of the cooperation were not suitable for broadcast.

He says ZNBC has put in place an Evaluation Committee to ensure that all authorised contents are devoid of abusive language, insults, libelous assertion and any expression that may be injurious to others and ZNBC’s reputation.

Mr Ndhlovu says the evaluation of political adverts will encompass all political parties participating in this year’s general elections.

He says the corporation is appealing to political parties to identify contact persons that will help ZNBC to efficiently and effectively run the political adverts for both Radio and Television.

A SWARM of bees attacked a 66-year-old farmer in Kabwe at the weekend, leaving him nursing stings all over his body in Kabwe General Hospital.
Central Province commissioner of police Lombe Kamukoshi identified the victim as Jonathan Susu of Chilumba area.
Ms Kamukoshi said Mr Susu becomes the second man in Kabwe to be attacked by bees this month.
On May 17, 2015 a 93-year-old man identified as Abraham Kaseba of Chamanimani township died after he was attacked by bees at Chamanimani market.
In the latest incident, Mr Susu was attacked by the insects on Saturday around 14:00 hours in Makululu township as he was cycling his bicycle.
“He was attacked by a swarm of bees and he was rushed to the hospital [Kabwe General Hospital] and he is in a stable condition,” Ms Kamukoshi said.
She said Mr Susu also sustained a fractured left ankle in the attack after falling from his bicycle.

Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Chishimba Kambwili has been named as an Ambassador of Peace by the Universal Peace Federation.

This is in recognition of Dr Kambwili’s services to the community in Roan Constituency in Luanshya and the people of Zambia at large.

Speaking at the honouring ceremony this morning, Dr Kambwili said he is greatly humbled by the award.

Dr Kambwili said the award is a source of immense joy and encouragement to enable him work even harder in serving the people of Zambia.

He said this is the second time that he has been honoured this year having received an honorary Doctorate Degree as one of the most influential politicians of recent time.

He said he is a firm believer in hard work and that he has thanked God for giving him the opportunity to serve the people in Roan constituency and the country.

Dr Kambwili says he considers it an honour to help uplift the welfare of the people around him.
The Universal Peace Federation acknowledges as Ambassadors of Peace, those individuals whose lives exemplify the idea of living for the sake of others, and who dedicate themselves to practice which promote universal moral values, strong family life, inter-religious cooperation, international harmony, renewal of the United Nations, a responsible public media, and the establishment of a culture of peace.

The Ambassadors of Peace also transcend racial, national and religious barriers and contribute to the fulfilment of hope for all ages, unified world of peace wherein the spiritual and material dimensions of life are harmonised.

President Edgar Lungu has dispelled assertions and fears that the Patriotic Front plans to rig the August 11th general election.

Speaking to journalists at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport shortly before departure for Saudi Arabia, President Lungu says those stakeholders accusing the ECZ of conniving with the PF to rig elections are being unfair to the commission.

President Lungu says the Electoral Commission of Zambia is full of integrity and cannot rig the elections.

He adds that those alleging that he is meeting some people with the intention of rigging the elections should prove their allegations and not speculate.

And asked to comment on the issue of issuing National Registration Cards and Voters Cards to foreigners,President Lungu said he does not work for the ECZ to answer such questions.

Meanwhile, the Head of State says he has gone to Saudi Arabia because the country is a rich producer of oil which Zambia can cut some deals with.

And the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has been urged to ignore all negative criticism coming from political players and just focus on conducting credible elections.

Zambia Republican Party President Wright Musoma says the commission must not listen to negative criticisms as they have the power to derail them from holding credible polls.

Mr. Musoma says some political parties will not stop talking ill about the commission because they fell they have already won the elections saying this is a recipe for confusion.

He says the commission must remain focused and do the best as most people are looking up to them for a good job.

Mr. Musoma has since advised fellow politicians not to drag the ECZ into politics but allow them carry out their duties effectively.

Cactus Agony will be launching his album ‘Chasing the wind’ on 20th May at Bongwes Big Bush .

Supporting artists include ; Roberto , Jk , kaladoshas , Slap D , DJ Cosmos , among others .

He said the following about the event on his Facebook page:

“In just ONE week… This is going to happen!! Do NOT miss it…. Put the date in your diary… Pay on the gate… Be early…. You cannot afford to miss this!!!!! Seriously….. 50 kwacha and you get not only a full Cactus live set…AND the new album revealed but a stage full of the best artists in Zambia..Roberto Zambia, JK, SlapD, Brian B’Flow Bwembya, Milimo Milz, and that’s only SOME of them!! All that…and Bongwe’s Big Bush can provide all the food and drinks you want!! why would you miss it !!!
(Please note that no outside food and drink will be allowed inside the venue)”

 

BY KAPA187