Inspired Rice Recipes

THAI-INSPIRED FRIED RICE

Steps:

• Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir chicken until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 5 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
• Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large wok over medium heat; stir in onion and garlic. Cook and stir until softened and onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cooked chicken, pineapple, and 3 tablespoons pineapple juice, 1 to 2 minutes. Add rice, 4 tablespoons cilantro, and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter; cook and stir until thoroughly mixed, about 5 minutes.
• Pour sweet and sour sauce, teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper into the rice mixture. Cook and stir to combine, 5 to 8 minutes. Mix in the remaining 4 tablespoons cilantro, 1 to 2 minutes.

SPICY INDIAN RICE

Steps:

• Fry the onions in the sunflower oil in a large frying pan for 10-12 minutes until golden.
• Fill a roomy saucepan with water, bring to the boil and tip in a heaped teaspoon of salt - the water will bubble furiously. Add turmeric and the cinnamon stick to the water. Pour in the rice, stir once and return to the boil, then turn the heat down a little so that the water is boiling steadily, but not vigorously. Boil uncovered, without stirring (this makes for sticky rice) for 10 minutes. Lift some out with a slotted spoon and nibble a grain or two. If they're too crunchy, cook for another minute and taste again. They should be tender but with a little bite. Drain the rice into a large sieve and rinse by pouring over a kettle of very hot water
• Stir the crushed seeds of the cardamom pods into the onions with the cumin seeds and fry briefly.
• Toss in a large handful of sultanas and roasted cashew nuts, then the hot drained rice. This is great with curry and will also give an exotic edge to grilled meat or fish.

CHINESE FRIED RICE

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp oil in wok; add chopped onions and stir-fry until onions turn a nice brown color, about 8-10 minutes; remove from wok.
• Allow wok to cool slightly.
• Mix egg with 3 drops of soy and 3 drops of sesame oil; set aside.
• Add 1/2 tbsp oil to wok, swirling to coat surfaces; add egg mixture; working quickly, swirl egg until egg sets against wok; when egg puffs, flip egg and cook other side briefly; remove from wok, and chop into small pieces.
• Heat 1 tbsp oil in wok; add selected meat to wok, along with carrots, peas, and cooked onion; stir-fry for 2 minutes.
• Add rice, green onions, and bean sprouts, tossing to mix well; stir-fry for 3 minutes.
• Add 2 tbsp of light soy sauce and chopped egg to rice mixture and fold in; stir-fry for 1 minute more; serve.
• Set out additional soy sauce on the table, if desired.

SIMPLE ASIAN RICE

Steps:

• Combine the rice and the chicken stock in a large saucepan or skillet, cover with a lid and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 18 minutes.
• At the end of the cooking time, stir the rice and check the rice for tenderness. If the liquid has been absorbed, drizzle with the soy sauce and sesame oil and toss well to coat.
• Add frozen peas, if desired, and stir to combine. The heat of the rice will cook them in just a minute or two. Taste the rice, and add salt, only if needed. Add the green onions, stir and keep covered until ready to serve. Enjoy!

ITALIAN-STYLE RICE

Steps:

• In a saucepan, saute onion in butter until tender. Add rice; cook on medium for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in broth and turmeric; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Stir in cheese.

ASIAN-STYLE RICE

Steps:

• Spray a 10" nonstick skillet with vegetable cooking spray and heat for 1 minute over medium heat. Add the egg and cook until it's set. Remove the egg from the skillet.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and spray it with cooking spray. Add the rice and cook until it's browned, stirring often.
• Stir the broth, soy, garlic, ginger and carrot in the skillet and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 15 minutes.
• Stir the onions and peas in the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes or until they're tender.
• Stir in the egg and heat through.

MEXICAN-INSPIRED CHICKEN THIGH AND RICE SKILLET

Steps:

• Combine salt, granulated garlic, cumin, paprika, coriander, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl.
• Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Sprinkle seasoning mix evenly over both sides of chicken thighs.
• Combine butter and olive oil in a deep-sided, 11-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; cook until butter is melted and foamy. Swirl the butter and oil together and place chicken thighs in the skillet in a single layer. Cook until just brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove from the pan with tongs and set aside. Keep warm.
• Reduce heat to medium and add onion and bell peppers to the skillet. Cook, stirring often, until the onion starts to turn translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in rice and chili powder; cook and stir until rice begins to pick up some color, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Stir in drained tomatoes and garlic; cook and stir for 1 minute. Add reserved tomato liquid, chicken broth, and water; bring to a boil. Adjust salt and pepper if necessary.
• Place browned chicken thighs on top of the rice mixture; do not submerge. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 20 minutes.
• Remove cover, increase heat to medium, and gently stir in thawed peas. Cook until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 5 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Serve warm.

PERFECT CILANTRO LIME RICE

Steps:

• Rinse the rice with cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well in a fine-mesh sieve and set aside. This removes excess starch and helps the rice cook up fluffy and light.
• Heat a medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, over medium heat. Add the oil or butter. When hot, add the rinsed rice and onion. Cook, stirring often, until the rice turns from translucent to a brighter white and the onion is soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring it around the pan until fragrant, but not browned, about 30 seconds.
• Pour in the warm water or stock and stir, knocking any grains of rice that are stuck to the sides of the pan. Season with salt, reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cover with a lid. Cook, covered for 15 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and leave alone (still covered) for 10 minutes. Uncover and test a grain of rice. If the rice is still a little hard, place the lid back onto the rice and place over low heat for another 5 minutes. If the rice looks too dry, scatter a tablespoon or two of extra water over the rice before placing back onto the heat.
• When the rice is done, scatter the lime juice and cilantro on top. Use a fork to gently fluff the rice and incorporate the lime juice and cilantro into the rice. Serve.