Orphan's Rice Arroz Huerfano
One of my favorite comfort side dishes for the holidays is a nice helping of arroz huerfano, or orphan rice. Arroz huerfano is not only white rice cooked and fluffed to perfection but also a side dish enhanced with some very popular and seasonal ingredients such as nuts, deli meats and curry powder. The combination is heavenly and so versatile, it pairs up with just about every protein main dish you can think of.

Arroz huerfano’s name is said to originate from Saltillo, Coahuila. Home of Doña Graciela Garza Arocha de Jaime’s restaurant “La Canasta” where arroz huérfano was created. When Doña Graciela served it to a famous local columnist Roberto Orozco Melo, he requested seconds and thirds and commented that this rice was so good, it didn’t have parents. Doña Graciela took the idea and named it “orphan rice”.

Whether you give it a personal twist, arroz huerfano usually includes toasted nuts, garlic, onion, cooked bacon and celery. Some add ham, pine nuts and parsley to the mix. The flavor variations are endless.

Orphan's Rice Arroz Huerfano

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