Brazilian Christmas Rice Recipes

BRAZILIAN RICE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until softened, about 5 minutes. Add rice and mix until clumps form.
• Stir water, cilantro, salt, and lemon juice into the saucepan. Simmer uncovered until most of the water has been absorbed, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat, cover, and cook until rice is tender, 10 to 15 minutes.

BRAZILIAN CHRISTMAS RICE

Steps:

• Soak raisins in a bowl of hot water until soft, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain.
• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and garlic in the hot oil until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Stir in raisins, rice, and salt; cook and stir until rice is coated with oil, about 3 minutes.
• Pour boiling water and Champagne into the saucepan. Cover and cook until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
• Place dried apricots in a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil; simmer until soft, about 5 minutes. Drain and cool slightly, about 5 minutes. Cut into strips.
• Place grated carrot in a small bowl and cover with boiling water. Season with salt. Let soak until softened, about 5 minutes. Drain.
• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in apricot strips and sun-dried tomatoes; cook for 2 minutes.
• Fold apricot strips and sun-dried tomatoes into the cooked rice. Pile rice onto a serving platter; garnish with grated carrot.

TRUE BRAZILIAN RICE

Steps:

• Wash the rice until the water runs clear and set aside to dry. Boil enough water for two cups. Chop the onions and garlic finely. Place a pan over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once olive oil is heated add the chopped onions and garlic.
• Sauté until fragrant; approximately 3 minutes. Add the dry rice to the pan and stir for an additional 3-4 minutes making sure that the rice does not stick to the bottom of the pan. Add the two cups of boiling water to the rice and the salt.
• Place a lid on the pan and cook on medium heat for 8 minutes. Decrease the heat to low and cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until the water has all evaporated. If the rice is not cooked yet, add a little bit more water!