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Vegetarian, Americas

Arroz con palmito (baked rice with heart of palm)

Arroz con palmito is a Costa Rican baked rice dish with hearts of palm, corn, and melted cheese. This vegetarian recipe serves 4, takes 45 minutes, is easy to make, and costs about €2.20 per person. The key is rinsing the rice well so it stays loose under the creamy, golden topping.

I suggest an arroz con palmito, a baked rice dish from Costa Rica, with hearts of palm, corn, and melted cheese.

Arroz con palmito (baked rice with heart of palm)
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.20
Calories per person
610 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Under a golden cheese crust, the rice stays soft and fragrant, with a gentle crunch from the hearts of palm and a touch of sweetness from the corn. Sour cream ties everything together without making it heavy, and fresh cilantro adds a bright note to every bite. It's a comforting dish that offers a change from the usual casserole, without any hard to find ingredients.

This is the kind of recipe to make on a weeknight when you want a full vegetarian meal, or on a Sunday when the whole family gathers around the table. Kids tend to love the soft, cheesy texture, while adults enjoy the slightly exotic touch of the hearts of palm. Mon Chou suggests it when you want to break from routine without complicating your evening cooking.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Riceoften in the pantry 300 g
  • Canned hearts of palmoften in the pantry 400 g
  • Canned sweet cornoften in the pantry 200 g
  • Vegetable brothoften in the pantry 60 cl
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Red bell pepper 1
  • Onion 1
  • Garlic 2 cloves
  • Cilantro 1 bunch
  • Lettuce 1

Dairy

  • Sour cream 10 cl
  • Shredded Swiss cheese 150 g

Allergens Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Cook the onion, garlic, and diced bell pepper in the oil, then add the rinsed rice and toast it for two minutes. 8 min

    The rice is ready when the edges of the grains turn translucent.

  2. Pour in the hot broth, cover, and let it cook over low heat without stirring. 13 min

    Don't lift the lid, the steam finishes cooking the rice.

  3. Slice the hearts of palm into rounds and mix them into the rice with the drained corn, sour cream, half the cilantro, salt, and pepper.

    Drain and rinse the hearts of palm well, the canning liquid is very salty.

  4. Pour everything into a baking dish, top with the shredded cheese, and bake at 200°C until golden on top. 15 min

    Finish under the broiler for two minutes for nicely golden spots.

  5. Serve with a green salad and the remaining chopped cilantro.

    A squeeze of lemon on the salad cuts through the creaminess of the bake nicely.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick good quality canned hearts of palm, they hold their shape during baking instead of turning mushy in the rice.
  • Spread the rice evenly in the dish before adding the cheese, so the golden crust forms evenly across the whole surface.
  • Taste the mixture before baking, since the broth and canned vegetables already add salt, so hold off on seasoning too early.

The variations

  • Swap the Swiss cheese for Gruyère for a stronger flavor under the crust.
  • Add diced zucchini or eggplant cooked with the bell pepper for a version with more vegetables.
  • For a quicker version, use pre-cooked rice and cut the broth simmering time to 5 minutes before going straight into the oven.

What to serve it with

  • Green salad with lemon
  • Avocado wedges
  • Sparkling water with lime

Storage

The casserole keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well once cooled, in an airtight container, for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven or in a pan with a splash of water so the rice doesn't dry out.

Questions about this dish

Can you replace the hearts of palm with something else?

If you can't find them, canned artichoke hearts give a similar texture, though the flavor is a bit different. Avoid vegetables that are too firm, since the goal is a soft bite under the cheesy topping.

Can you make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the rice up to the baking step and keep it in the fridge for a few hours. Add the cheese and bake right before serving for a nicely golden crust.

Is this dish good for kids?

Yes, the melted cheese and creamy rice are usually a hit with kids. You can cut back on the cilantro if your kids aren't fans of fresh herbs.

Can you freeze arroz con palmito?

Yes, once fully cooled, it freezes well in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating in the oven to keep the rice soft.

How long does it take to make an arroz con palmito with a side salad?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in an arroz con palmito with a side salad?

About 610 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does an arroz con palmito with a side salad cost?

About €2.20 per serving, or €8.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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