Caribbean Yellow Rice

From Epicurious...Sofrito, a sautéed vegetable mixture that typically contains garlic, onion, and bell pepper, is used as a seasoning in much of Latin America and the Caribbean. Here, it flavors yellow rice. The color comes from annatto seeds—which have an astringent, slightly peppery flavor—heated in oil until bright red-orange.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  tablespoon annatto seeds (see cooks' note, below)
• 1⁄4 cup olive oil
• 1⁄2 cup onion, finely chopped
• 1⁄4 cup green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 2  large garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1⁄4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1 3⁄4 cups long-grain white rice
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 3  cups water

Directions

1. Heat annatto seeds and oil in a very small saucepan over low heat, swirling pan frequently, until oil turns bright red-orange and begins to simmer, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 10 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl, discarding seeds.
2. Cook onion, bell pepper, garlic, and cilantro in 1 1/2 tablespoons annatto oil in a 2-to 3-quart heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring, until vegetables are softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring, until most of grains are opaque, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in water and 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil. Stir rice again, then reduce heat to low and cook, covered, until rice is just tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes.
3. Fluff rice with a fork before serving.
4. Cooks’ notes:
5. You can substitute 1/4 teaspoon saffron for the annatto. Use only 1 1/2 tablespoon oil and crumble saffron into oil just before using it.
6. Leftover annatto oil keeps, refrigerated in an airtight container, up to 1 month.