BEEFY MUSHROOM RICE
Sometimes a change from the usual mashed or baked potatoes is just the thing to perk up a roasted or grilled meat. This beefy rice, filled with dried porcini and sauteed cremini mushrooms, is a terrific side dish to serve any night of the week and it dresses up nicely for special occasions, too. SERVES […]
EAT YOUR VEGGIES RICE
This dish makes a great way to sneak a few vitamins and minerals into a weeknight meal. The rice is riddled with colorful and tasty vegetables, which cook along with the rice. Feel free to vary the vegetables, but be sure to cut them all the same size so that they will cook evenly. SERVES […]
CAJUN RICE
This highly seasoned rice gets a kick from tiny pieces of andouille sausage, a bit of Creole seasoning, and the trinity of Creole cuisine: onion, celery, and bell pepper. If you wish to tone this down a bit, I’d suggest mild smoked sausage, like kielbasa. SERVES 6 INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons canola oil 1/2 pound […]
SOUTH OF THE B0RDER RICE
There are as many versions of this dish as there are cooks in Mexico! I love this one-filled with chiles and tomatoes and flavored with cumin and cilantro-because it makes a big statement on the plate. Serve it with fajitas or other grilled entrees for your next fiesta. SERVES 6 INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons canola […]
SPANISH RICE
Fragrant with garlic, tomato, and Spanish paprika, this richly colored rice is beautiful on the plate and delicious on the tongue. Often confused with its stepbrother, Mexican rice, this dish is rich and smoky, with bits of bacon and bell pepper throughout. SERVES 6 INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 4 bacon strips, cut […]
SAFFRON RICE
Simple to make but with a complex flavor, this saffron-scented rice is a crowd-pleaser. Serve it alongside grilled chicken or seafood or as a bed for steak with chimichurri sauce. Be forewarned that saffron, the dried stigma of the crocus plant, is expensive, but well worth the price. SERVES 6 INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons unsalted […]
FRUITED RICE PILAF
Dried fruit transforms into a pleasingly soft surprise in this pilaf. Although the recipe calls for dried apple and cranberries, feel free to substitute your favorites, such as apricots, golden raisins, pineapple, or mango. SERVES 6 INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 tablespoon canola oil ⅔ cup finely chopped sweet onion, such as Vidalia […]
TRADITIONAL RICE PILA
Simple yet elegant, rice pilaf made with long-grain white rice is like a little black dress-it never goes out of style. I like to make this with chicken broth, but feel free to substitute beef or vegetable broth if you would like. SERVES 6 INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 tablespoon canola oil ½ […]
BASIC LONG GRAIN WHITE RICE
Cooking long-grain rice in a pressure cooker is super-simple and gives you great results. Each grain is fluffy and separate. You may decide to store that old rice cooker in the garage to free up valuable space on your countertop. Serve the rice right from the pot or store it to serve later. MAKES 4 […]
CRANBERRY BROWN RICE PILAF
Studded with dried cranberries and bits of apricot, this rice pilaf is great to serve with a weeknight dinner. But it can also be a showstopper for the holidays, especially when served as a stuffing for turkey, Cornish game hens, chicken, or a crown roast of pork. SERVES 6 INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons unsalted butter […]