Arroz Tapado (Rice-On-Top) Recipe
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Arroz Tapado (Rice-On-Top)

By: Katie 
"A fun Peruvian dish that looks cool and is always a hit with the kids! Seasoned meat is the surprise center to the rice on top. Makes great leftovers!"

This Kitchen Approved Recipe has an average star rating of 4.7 Rate/Review | Read Reviews (13)

Prep Time:
20 Min
Cook Time:
55 Min
Ready In:
1 Hr 30 Min

Servings  (Help)

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Original Recipe Yield 6 servings
 

Ingredients

  • 2 cups uncooked white rice
  • 4 cups water
  •  
  • 1 egg
  •  
  • 1 potato, peeled and cubed
  • 1 cup vegetable oil for frying
  •  
  • 3 small tomatoes, coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1/2 large onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground dried aji chile
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and cubed
  • 1/4 cup frozen peas
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter
  •  
  • chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
  • chopped fresh tomato (optional)
  • ketchup (optional)

Directions

  1. Bring the rice and 4 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender, and the liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes.
  2. Place the egg into a saucepan, and cover with water by 1 inch. Cover the saucepan and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, remove from the heat and let the egg stand in the hot water for 15 minutes. Pour out the hot water, then cool the egg under cold running water in the sink. Peel once cold. Chop the egg and set aside in a small bowl.
  3. Heat 1 cup of vegetable oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Deep fry the potato cubes until golden brown, about 5 minutes; drain on paper towels, and set aside.
  4. Place tomatoes and 1/2 cup of water in a blender, and puree until tomatoes are liquefied (peel and seed first, if desired).
  5. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and cook and stir the onion, garlic, aji chile powder, cumin, black pepper, and oregano until the onion begins to brown, 8 to 10 minutes; pour in the pureed tomatoes, and simmer for 5 more minutes, stirring often. Mix in the ground beef and carrots, and cook until the meat is no longer pink and the carrots are tender, about 10 minutes. Break the meat up into small chunks as it cooks. Mix in the chopped hard-cooked egg, peas, and peanut butter until thoroughly combined. Finally, gently stir in the cubes of fried potato.
  6. To assemble the dish, oil a flexible plastic bowl (at least 1 cup size) and press cooked rice into the bottom to fill 1/3 of the bowl. Layer about 3/4 inch of meat mixture over the rice, and top with more cooked rice to fill the bowl. With an oiled hand, gently press on the rice to compact the mixture; place a serving plate on top of the bowl, flip, and turn out the rice and meat-filled form. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Garnish with sprinkles of cilantro, chopped tomato, and dollops of ketchup on each serving.

Footnotes

  • Cook's Note
  • If you can't find ground aji chile powder, substitute with smoked paprika.
  • Editor's Note
  • We have determined the nutritional value of oil for frying based on a retention value of 10% after cooking. The exact amount will vary depending on cooking time and temperature, ingredient density, and the specific type of oil used.

Nutritional Information open nutritional information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 512 | Total Fat: 18.1g | Cholesterol: 85mg Powered by ESHA Nutrient Database

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 view all reviews »  

The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Feb. 28, 2011 by Leslie Marshall   view full review
This on is a keeper! Made the recipe exactly as written and my husband LOVED it! Thanks so...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Mar. 15, 2011 by miller22   view full review
This was a hit. I have a very picky husband. I followed the recipe to the tee. However, I was...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Mar. 8, 2011 by Laura   view full review
This is a really nice recipe. My whole family liked it. Just one change that I made (well...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Mar. 2, 2011 by miperu   view full review
Being Peruvian, I make this for my family all the time. I would omit the 1 cup of oil, water,...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Mar. 21, 2011 by sonnet   view full review
I loved this recipe, hubby and kids only liked it, so 4/5 from me. It sure is easy, and I...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Mar. 10, 2011 by marzolf33   view full review
This is a fun recipe and I love how the flavors compliment each other. The presentation was...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Mar. 1, 2011 by riosplus2   view full review
This is a favorite at our home.
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Jan. 4, 2012 by lovely lil chef   view full review
This was good but I felt the cumin was too present in the taste. This was really just arroz...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Apr. 4, 2011 by TAP   view full review
This was great! I used fake burger.
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Apr. 11, 2011 by bakesabunch   view full review
This will become a regular in our house! Very enjoyable.

 

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