We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Arroz Tapado?

By A. Leverkuhn
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 7,531
Share

Arroz tapado is a common dish in some Latin American countries; it is composed of rice together with other food items. Different versions of this dish are popular around the world in countries that speak Spanish. The name for this dish is composed of two Spanish words, arroz, which means rice and tapado, which means covered. Many forms of this dish will have some specific properties that relate to the word “covered.” In most forms of this dish, generic white rice is common, but other rice varieties can also be used in these sorts of cuisine.

One of the main versions of this dish is a Peruvian one. In the Peruvian version of arroz tapado, ground beef and other elements are mixed with rice. These are all compacted in a container, which is then opened. The contents are placed onto a plate, where they retain the shape of the original container.

Other elements added to the Peruvian arroz tapado dish include pieces of hard-boiled egg, as well as raisins and olives. Onions and other spices may be added. The green herb cilantro is a common addition. Garlic may also be added to this version of the dish. Cooks may add spices like salt and pepper, and paprika, the red essence of peppers that is an appealing, colorful garnish to many dishes.

An alternative Colombian version of arroz tapado involves cooking the rice in chicken stock and using pieces of chicken in the dish. Some other elements like garlic, onions, and hot peppers are often added to this type of dish as well. Here, the word tapado relates to the method by which the dish is cooked.

Although the words “arroz tapado” are related to the name of another Spanish delicacy called tapas, the two are not really connected. Tapas is a selection of small plates, where the actual food can vary quite a bit. For example, tapas plates can include cheeses, seafood, bread, prepared meat skewers, or nearly anything else on the Spanish menu, in small sizes. By contrast, arroz tapado is a dish in which rice is covered, then obtained and presented to the culinary audience. Some Spanish speakers note that the word “tapas” generally refers to the “lid” of the container, where the word itself can have various meanings in context.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-arroz-tapado.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.