Recipes

The Mailbox: A stand-in for Emma’s salad dressing

Emma’s salad dressing

“Recently a reader requested a recipe for the salad dressing that was served at Emma’s Taco House in West Sacramento. I don’t know Emma’s recipe, but the following is close: To a cup of bottled ranch dressing, stir in a tablespoon of your favorite green taco sauce and a teaspoon of lemon juice.”

Michael Goldsmith, Sacramento

How to contact the mailbox

If you have recipes in reply to Mailbox reader requests, or questions or comments, write to: Mailbox, c/o Taste, The Sacramento Bee, P.O. Box 15779, Sacramento, CA 95852. You also can email twatson@sacbee.com or fax (916)  321-1109. Please include your full name, your city and phone number.

Mexican rice

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour

Serves 6 to 8

Betty Purther of Auburn was looking for a good and easy Spanish rice recipe to make for her husband.

Myrna Barnes of Roseville shares this recipe that she makes often. Barnes says it’s easy and always a hit.

3 tablespoons salad oil or olive oil, divided use

2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice

1 cup chopped onion

1 clove garlic, crushed

Two 10 1/2-ounce cans condensed chicken broth, undiluted

2 cups water

One 8-ounce can tomato sauce

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

Parsley sprigs, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet. Add rice and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden brown. Turn into a 2½-quart casserole.

In remaining 1 tablespoon of the oil in the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in chicken broth, 2 cups water, tomato sauce, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Stir into rice.

Bake, covered for 40 to 45 minutes or until tender. Garnish with parsley sprigs, if desired.

This story was originally published May 11, 2016 at 12:01 AM with the headline "The Mailbox: A stand-in for Emma’s salad dressing."

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