This recipe is one of my original recipes; it is also one that I could probably "live on" if need be (I like it just that much!!) It is my "go to" recipe when picky-picky husband is grilling some huge slab-o-meat (and I want something a little lighter).

This recipe is also very quick and easy, made with pantry staples and if you double (or triple) it, it would be wonderful for a potluck.

 

1 cup raw white rice (not instant rice)
2 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
15 oz. can diced tomatoes in juice
1 tomato can of water + ½ cup
4 ounce can of mild green chili's
1 red bell pepper chopped
1 cup red kidney beans
1 small seeded and diced jalapeno (if you love extra heat)

Heat the canola oil, then add the raw rice, onion and spices. Saute this mixture until the onion is transparent and the rice is opaque. Add the red bell pepper, kidney beans, the whole can of diced tomatoes (plus the juice) plus 1 full can of water and another 1/2 cup of water and the mild green chili's (and jalapeno if you are using it....I don't think it's necessary.

Stir well and bring to a boil.

Put a tight fitting lid on the pan and turn the heat down to a slow simmer. Cook for 17 minutes, then turn off heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve.

NOTE: "Toasting" the spices in the oil/raw rice mixture at the beginning of this recipe really "wakes up" the spices and helps the flavor get deep into the rice.

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August 06, 2021

We've been trying to eat healthier lately, and "nutrition empty" white rice has been replaced by brown rice at our house.

Before now, I have only had moderate luck making brown rice. Not only do you have to babysit brown rice on a burner for 40-ish minutes, but the end result can be a little crunchy, (or worse yet), it can be gummy and sticky. Then, of course, there is the dreaded layer of rice that always cements itself to the  bottom of the pan (insert frown here).... that's no fun!!

Well, your brown rice "issues" are over!! This super easy method will give you fluffy brown rice every time (with every grain cooked) and NOTHING sticks to the pan.... it is super easy!!

 

This recipe makes three cups of cooked rice, which is a lot of rice for us empty nesters. So, I divide the leftovers into 1 cup portions and I freeze it. This way you can have brown rice ready in a flash for a weeknight meal (or add it to soups, etc.)

1 1/2 cups brown rice
2 1/2 cups boiling water (or no-salt chicken broth)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter 
1 teaspoon kosher salt (optional)

Preheat your oven to 375° and spray an 8" x 8" baking dish with vegetable spray.

Put the dry rice in the prepared baking pan.  Heat the water, butter and salt until it just comes to a boil, then pour over the rice and stir everything, just enough to get the rice to an even level in the pan. Then cover the pan with aluminum foil.

COVER PAN TIGHTLY

I use heavy duty aluminum foil and crimp the edges tight on all four sides. It is important that you trap the steam in the pan. If I use a baking dish that has a lid, I still use the foil under the lid.

Bake at 375° for one hour. After an hour, remove the pan from the oven and take off the foil. Fluff the rice with a fork and that's it!!

 

 

If you aren't going to eat the rice as soon as it comes out of the oven, make sure you still remove the foil so that the condensation doesn't drip back into the rice.

ENJOY !!

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April 11, 2021

I had to smile when I named this recipe because never have two little words described opposite ends of the comfort food spectrum more devilishly, just rest assured, that if you like good old mac and cheese, made with Velveeta (like ALL good mac and cheeses 😏) you will love this saucy side dish !!

Arborio rice (for those of you who have not cooked it before)is a short chubby grain of rice, that (when cooked correctly) gets bigger and creamier as it cooks(without getting mushy). The cooking process is also different than regular white rice, since you add the HOT liquid 1/2 cup at a time, letting the rice cook (and liquid reduce) before you add the next 1/2 cup of liquid. Sounds complicated, but it IS NOT!!

BACON RISOTTO and CHEESE

4 cups chicken stock

1 cup ARBORIO rice  (not regular rice)

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (not garlic salt)

1/4 teaspoon black pepper
NO SALT (because Velveeta is salty)

5 slices crisp cooked bacon (cut into small pieces)

4 ounces Velveeta cheese cut into small cubes

1 tablespoon thinly sliced green onions

Heat the chicken stock until it almost boils, then keep it hot on a side burner for now.

Melt the butter in a large saucepan, then add 1 cup Arborio rice + the garlic powder and black pepper, and stir. Saute the rice until you see very pale golden edges on most of the rice,then add your first half cup of HOT chicken stock and stir. 

Bring to a VERY GENTLE boil(NO lid) until the liquid is mostly absorbed, then add another half cup of HOT chicken stock and stir. 

Repeat this process (1/2 cup of broth at a time)and start testing the rice for "done-ness" at about 15 minutes (but expect the whole process to take more like 20 minutes).  

When you add the LAST half cup of HOT chicken stock, include the small cheese cubes + bacon and green onions. Gently stir, then let it sit a minute while the cheese melts and stir gently again.  Serve !!

CLICK ON THIS PHOTO,

THEN TAKE A BITE !!!

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April 11, 2021