Perfect Rice Courtesy The Neelys Recipes

NEELY'S PINEAPPLE FRIED RICE

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the peanut oil. When the oil shimmers, add the onion, garlic, ginger, and green onions. Saute until tender and golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in the red bell pepper and the ham steak and saute until the pepper starts to soften. Add the rice and pineapple and mix with a wooden spoon to break up any lumps. Stir-fry until lightly browned, about 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Mix in the sesame oil, and the soy sauce. Taste and season with salt, if necessary. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve.

PERFECT RICE COURTESY THE NEELYS

Steps:

• Melt butter in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat.
• Add shallot and saute until tender.
• Add the rice and stir until the rice is glossy and coated with the butter. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and add the warmed stock.
• Add the smashed garlic and sprigs of thyme.
• Cover with a tight fitting lid.
• Cook for 15 to 17 minutes.
• Remove the thyme and garlic. Fluff with a fork and add fresh chopped parsley.

PERFECT WHITE RICE

Steps:

• Bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in rice and salt and return to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid, 16 to 18 minutes (check only toward the end of cooking time). The rice should be studded with craters, or steam holes, when it is ready.
• Remove from heat and let steam, covered, for 10 minutes. Then fluff with a fork and serve.

PERFECT WHITE RICE

Steps:

• Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add rice and stir to coat. Cook until rice grains begin to turn opaque, 1 to 2 minutes; do not brown. Add water and salt.
• Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer for 15 minutes. Do not lift the lid.
• Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

NANA'S CHICKEN SEAFOOD GUMBO COURTESY THE NEELYS

Steps:

• In a heavy Dutch oven, heat oil. Add the flour and stir and cook until the mixture darkens to a brown color, about the shade of peanut butter.
• Add the celery, onion, green bell pepper and garlic and saute until tender.
• Whisk in chicken stock, add the ketchup, chopped tomato, and okra.
• Let simmer for 2 1/2 hours.
• About 10 minutes before serving time add cooked chicken, crabmeat and shrimp and simmer.
• Add lemon juice, hot sauce and Worcestershire.
• Serve over rice.

ROASTED CORNISH GAME HENS RECIPE COURTESY THE NEELYS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a small mixing bowl, stir together salt, lemon pepper, dried basil and poultry seasoning.
• Rub olive oil all over the hens and season each with the salt mixture.
• Place the hens on a baking sheet pan with plenty of space between them. You may need to use 2 pans.
• Loosely stuff the cavities of each hen with some green bell pepper, celery and onion.
• Roast the hens in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F and the juices run clear.
• Remove the hens from the oven, loosely tent with foil and let rest 10 minutes before carving or serving.