The Journey of Mexican Rice

The Journey of Mexican Rice

Author: My Cultura and iHeartPodcasts December 8, 2022 Duration: 23:48

While still in Veracruz, Eva and Maite unpack the history of rice. Not native to Mexico, the Spanish conquistadores first introduced rice through the port of Veracruz, a city with lush tropical climate that also happened to be perfect for growing it. Like sugar, when its popularity exploded so did the slave trade. Also, Eva shares how she cooks perfectly fluffy Mexican rice and the owners of Horchateria Rio Luna in Paramount, CA tell us the best techniques for making horchata, an agua fresca made of rice. 

Arroz con Leche (a recipe adapted from Maite's mom)

Ingredients: 

  • one 2-inch cinnamon stick
  • two 2-inch strips of orange or lemon zest
  • 1 ¾ cups water
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup rice
  • 3 cups milk
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ground cinnamon for dusting, optional

 

Instructions:

  • Put the water, cinnamon stick, orange zest and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the rice, cover and cook until tender, about 20 minutes.  
  • Remove the cinnamon stick and zest then add the milk and sugar to the pan. Set over medium-low heat and simmer until the mixture just begins to thicken – It should be about as thick as heavy cream, but not thicker, 15 to 20 minutes.  
  • Dust with ground cinnamon and serve warm, cold, or at room temperature.
  • Makes about 4 cups

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Join Eva Longoria and Maite Gomez-Rejón as they pull up a chair to a conversation that’s equal parts kitchen table and classroom. Their podcast, Hungry for History, is a vibrant exploration where every dish has a deeper story. This isn't just about recipes; it's about the people, migrations, and traditions that shaped what's on our plates. You’ll hear Eva and Maite swap personal family stories that connect them to these foods, while digging into the surprising journeys of everyday ingredients. Their curiosity leads to conversations with chefs, historians, and all kinds of food enthusiasts, creating a rich tapestry of voices. Some episodes even take you on location, uncovering the hidden past of a beloved taco, tamale, or cocktail. The atmosphere is warm and engaging, often punctuated by the sounds of taste tests, the clink of glasses during a drink-making segment, and the sharing of culinary techniques. Produced by My Cultura and iHeartPodcasts, this series sits at the perfect intersection of heritage and flavor. Listening feels like being part of a lively, insightful gathering where culture is understood through taste, and history is served in generous, delicious portions. You’ll come away from each episode with a newfound appreciation for the narratives simmering in every pot and pantry.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 98

Hungry for History with Eva Longoria and Maite Gomez-Rejón
Podcast Episodes
Cookbooks - The Printing Press Meets the Recipe! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:52
To celebrate the launch of Eva’s new cookbook, Eva and Maite talk about how cookbooks can serve as windows into cultures and histories. They discuss the first published cookbooks (one of which involves a plagiarizing sca…
A Carne Crawl Through History [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:32
As South Texans, Eva and Maite have carne asada flowing through their veins! Join them as they talk about the history of grilling meat, cowboy culture, and how Mexican barbacoa paved the way for American barbecue.See omn…
From Sopita de Fideo to Mac and Cheese! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:55
When and where was pasta invented? How did sopita de fideo and mac and cheese become classic comfort foods in Mexico and the United States? Eva and Maite explore these questions and more as they trace the history of our…
Hot Dogs! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:28
Eva and Maite head to the kitchen to prepare a deconstructed bacon wrapped hot dog recipe from Eva’s new cookbook. And they share lots of history of course! From the earliest references to sausages in antiquity, to how s…
TASTE BUDS: Arriba, Abajo, Al Centro, Pa’ Dentro! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:12
Eva and Maite, buddies in all things tasty, kick off the new season by making their favorite cocktail, the Paloma! For one cocktail: 1.5 oz tequila 1.5 oz grapefruit juice 1/2 oz fresh lime juice 1/4 oz agave Put in a co…
The World's Most Popular Cocktails [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:04
Eva and Maite kick off season 2 exploring the history of some of their favorite Latin American cocktails, classic bartender’s manuals, Prohibition and more! Maite chats with Marlene Olarra, the beverage director at Nativ…
Introducing: Hungry for History Season 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:52
Hungry for History is back! Welcome to season two, ya'll. - Eva and MaiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Perception of Mexican Food in the United States [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:35
Eva and Maite reflect on the highlights from the season and discuss the changing perceptions of Mexican food in the United States. Plus, award-winning Chef Ray Garcia, formerly of Broken Spanish and BS Taqueria, now of a…
Tacos and the History of Street Vending [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:26
Eva and Maite dive into the history of street vending and explore the backstory of the taco. Rudy Espinoza, executive director of Inclusive Action for the City, joins the show to share how his organization helps street v…
The History Behind the Mighty Potato [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:01
On this episode, Eva and Maite explore the history of the mighty potato which was first cultivated in Peru by the Inca people thousands of years ago. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.