Serves: 4
Total Calories: 384

2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup long-grain white rice
1/2 cup pineapple juice, canned or thawed, if frozen
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 cup diced or chopped cooked ham
1/2 red bell pepper, neatly diced (about 1/4 inch)
1 large jalapeño pepper, seeded, veins removed, and finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 cup pineapple chunk, , fresh or canned
sprig of mint or cilantro

1. In a wide, heavy 2-quart saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium heat. Add the rice and cook, stirring, until the rice is opaque and starts to change color, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the pineapple juice and water all at once. Add the salt. Stir to level the rice and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to the lowest setting, cover and simmer until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender, 18 to 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the rice stand about 5 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, heat the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil and cook the ham, pepper, and chile, stirring, 2 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients, except the pineapple chunks. Cook until the sugar melts, about 30 seconds. When the rice is cooked, fluff with a fork and turn out on a serving platter. Spoon the ham mixture over the top. Garnish the edge of the platter with the pineapple chunks and mint or cilantro sprigs. Serve hot.

From "1,000 Mexican Recipes." Copyright 2001 by Marge Poore. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Nutritional Facts:

Serves: 4
Total Calories: 384
Calories from Fat: 64

More Recipes from the 1,000 Mexican Recipes Cookbook:
* Beans, Rice, and Pasta
Basic Chickpeas
Basic Pot Beans
Basic Refried Beans
Basic White Rice
Beans with Chorizo, Chiles, and Tequila
Black Beans Yucatán
Black Beans and Rice
Black Beans with Diced Pork, Yucatán-Style
Chickpeas with Spinach
Fresh Fava Beans
Green Rice
Horsemen’s Beans
Lima Beans with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
Mexican Rice
Pinto Beans with Fried Onions
Quick Refried Black Beans
Ranch Beans with Bacon
Red Beans and Pork Chili
Red Rice with Chicken
Rice with Carrots
Rice with Chickpeas
Rice with Corn
Rice with Crab, Yucatán Style
Rice with Ham and Pineapple
Rice with Minced Pork or Beef
Rice with Mixed Vegetables
Rice with Mushrooms and Poblano Chiles
Rice with Pine Nuts
Rice with Plantains
Rice with Sausage and Cabbage
Rice with Shrimp and Corn
Rice with Squash Blossoms
Tomatillo-Cilantro Rice
Vermicelli with Chicken Meatballs
Vermicelli with Mushrooms
Vermicelli with Turkey
White Beans and Carrots with Green Onions
White Beans with Roasted Garlic
Yellow Rice with Peas
Yucatán Puréed Black Beans