Almond Cinnamon Rice Food

CINNAMON-ALMOND MELT-AWAYS

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 350˚. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and bake on the lower rack until toasted and lightly browned on the inside, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool completely, then pulse in a food processor until very finely ground (do not grind to a paste). Add the all-purpose flour, rice flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and the salt. Pulse until combined.
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Beat the butter and 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the vanilla until combined. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour mixture. Turn out the dough onto a large sheet of plastic wrap, flatten into a rectangle and wrap. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
• Roll out the dough between 2 sheets of plastic wrap into an 8-by-9-inch rectangle (about 1/3 inch thick). If the dough starts to crack around the edges, pinch it back together with your fingers. Peel off the plastic wrap. With a short side facing you, slice the dough lengthwise into eight 1-inch-wide strips, then slice the strips crosswise into 1 1/2-inch rectangles (48 total; if the dough becomes too soft, refrigerate 15 minutes). Arrange the rectangles 1 inch apart on the prepared pans.
• Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cookies are set around the edges, 16 to 20 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the pans.
• Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 1 cup confectioners' sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Gently toss the warm cookies in the sugar mixture to coat, then transfer to racks to cool completely. Toss the cooled cookies in the sugar mixture again.

BASMATI RICE PILAF WITH ALMONDS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Optional: For a fluffier texture, rinse the rice under cold water for a few minutes. Drain the water from the rice but don't worry about drying the rice.
• Heat a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, then add the butter and chopped onions. When the onions are just soft and translucent add the uncooked rice and sauté, stirring constantly, for 3 to 5 minutes or until the rice is slightly toasted and you can smell a nutty aroma.
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring the broth and salt to a boil and pour into the rice, bring it back to a boil, then cover with a lid or foil and place the entire pot in the oven.
• Cook the rice pilaf in the oven for 20 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed. If after 20 minutes there's still liquid in the pot or the rice is still too moist, re-cover and return the pot to the oven for another 2 to 4 minutes.
• Remove the pot from the oven sprinkle the cumin, cinnamon, lemon zest and the toasted almonds on top and gently fluff the rice pilaf with a fork. Then place a paper towel across the top of the pot, replace the lid and let the rice pilaf stand for 10 minutes. To serve, transfer the rice to a serving bowl and sprinkle with additional reserved almonds.

ALMOND & CINNAMON RICE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 110C/fan 90C/gas 1⁄4. Heat the olive oil in a small ovenproof saucepan and soften the onion for 2 mins, making sure not to colour. Add the rice, lemon thyme, bay leaf,150ml water, then bring to the boil. Season, cover with a lid and cook in the oven for 20 mins until the rice is completely tender.
• When the rice is cooked, stir in the almonds, cinnamon, currants and lemon juice, then season, if you like. Set aside, then gently reheat to piping hot when required.

CINNAMON, RICE AND RAISIN PUDDING

Steps:

• Bring water to boil in medium saucepan on medium-high heat. Add rice and raisins; stir. Cover; simmer on medium-low heat 5 min. Remove from heat; let stand, covered, 5 min.
• Mix sour cream, sugar and cinnamon until blended. Add to rice mixture; mix well.
• Serve topped with nuts.

VEGAN ARROZ CON LECHE

Steps:

• Add the rice to a small pot with the almond milk, sugar, cinnamon stick, star anise, vanilla and a pinch of salt.
• Heat over medium until it begins to simmer, then reduce to medium-low, stirring occasionally to make sure the rice does not stick to the bottom of the pot.
• Cook for a total of 20 to 25 minutes if using short grain white rice, or 35 to 40 minutes if using arborio. The rice should be tender and look creamy and thick.
• In the last 5 minutes of cooking, when most of the liquid has absorbed, remove the cinnamon stick and star anise, and add the raisins.
• Garnish with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, and serve immediately.