California Rice Food

CALIFORNIA ROLL

Steps:

• Squeeze the lemon juice over the avocado to prevent browning.
• Cover a bamboo rolling mat with plastic wrap. Cut nori sheets in half crosswise. Lay 1 sheet of nori, shiny side down, on the plastic covered mat. Wet your fingers with water and spread about 1/2 cup of the rice evenly onto the nori. Sprinkle the rice with sesame seeds. Turn the sheet of nori over so that the rice side is down. Place 1/8 of the cucumber, avocado and crab sticks in the center of the sheet. Grab the edge of the mat closest to you, keeping the fillings in place with your fingers, and roll it into a tight cylinder, using the mat to shape the cylinder. Pull away the mat and set aside. Cover with a damp cloth. Repeat until all of the rice has been used. Cut each roll into 6 pieces. Serve with pickled ginger, wasabi and soy sauce.
• Place the rice into a mixing bowl and cover with cool water. Swirl the rice in the water, pour off and repeat 2 to 3 times or until the water is clear.
• Place the rice and 2 cups of water into a medium saucepan and place over high heat. Bring to a boil, uncovered. Once it begins to boil, reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cover. Cook for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes.
• Combine the rice vinegar, sugar and salt in a small bowl and heat in the microwave on high for 30 to 45 seconds. Transfer the rice into a large wooden or glass mixing bowl and add the vinegar mixture. Fold thoroughly to combine and coat each grain of rice with the mixture. Allow to cool to room temperature before using to make sushi or sashimi.
• Yield: 4 cups

SUSHI RICE AND CALIFORNIA ROLLS RECIPE

Steps:

• Wash the rice with cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well. If you have a rice maker (way easier!), follow rice maker instructions and cook on the white rice setting then skip to step #4
• Put drained rice in a heavy sauce-pan and add 2 cups cold water. Cover tightly and set the pan over high heat and bring to a boil. Once it boils, reduce heat to medium and let cook covered until all the water is absorbed (7-8 min). Do not remove the cover to check, but listen for the bubbling to stop.
• Once you hear a faint hissing sound, reduce the heat to very low and cook another 6 min. Remove from the heat and let stand 15 min covered. This is the basic white rice eaten with japanese meals.
• Transfer the hot rice to a large bowl and break it up to get rid of all the hot clumps.
• Let the rice cool down until it is just warm, then stir in your cooled sushi vinegar
• Wrap your sushi matt in plastic wrap before using it (this makes it re-useable and you don't even have to wash it!).
• Fold the pieces of nori in half to split them.
• Toast your sesame seeds over medium heat, stirring constantly until golden. Slice up your veggies.
• Spread a generous handful of sushi rice onto the 1/2 sheet of nori. Use your WET FINGER TIPS (keep your hands wet to prevent sticking) to spread the rice evenly over the entire surface of the nori.
• Flip the rice covered piece of nori over so the rice is facing down (this way, your rice will be on the outside). Place your fillings across the center of your rice in the middle of the sheet (don't overfill or the roll won't seal).
• Start rolling away from you using your matt to firmly keep the roll in place. Apply some pressure to make a tight roll. If its not tight enough, it will be difficult to cut. Once the roll is complete, sprinkle the roll with toasted sesame seeds while it is still on the mat so you can turn it easily.
• Run your sharp knife through a damp paper towel before slicing so the rice won't stick as much. Cut the roll in half, then line the two halves up and slice even 1-inch rings. I have found that it slices easier when you slice quickly.

CALIFORNIA RICE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease bottom of 9" x 13" casserole dish with butter or cooking spray.
• Melt butter in skillet over medium heat. Saute onions in butter until very soft, stirring constantly. Add garlic during last two minutes of cooking.
• In large bowl combine cooked rice, onion/garlic/butter mixture, sour cream, cottage cheese, chilis, salt and pepper.
• Layer half the rice mixture in bottom of casserole dish and top with half of shredded cheese. Repeat with remainder of rice mixture; top with remainder of cheese. (If making ahead of time, cover with plastic wrap after everything is assembled and refrigerate up to a day. Remember to let your dish come to room temperature before you place it in the oven.).
• Bake for 30 - 40 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

CALIFORNIA RICE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients and place in a greased 2 quart shallow casserole.
• Bake 25 minutes at 325 degrees or microwave until heated through.
• Can be assembled the day before (tastes even better).
• Or can be frozen before baking.
• Defrost before baking.

CHEESY RICE CASSEROLE WITH TURKEY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the turkey breast on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Bake until the turkey is done, about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool 5 minutes, then dice.
• Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook until it bubbles and begins to smell nutty, about 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the chicken stock and half-and-half. Bring to a boil and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the sour cream and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, Brussels sprouts, carrots and bell pepper and sauté until the vegetables begin to become tender, about 5 minutes. Season with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper.
• Combine the vegetables, rice, turkey, white Cheddar and 1 cup yellow Cheddar in a large bowl. Spoon the mixture into a lightly greased 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons butter in a small bowl or microwave-proof glass measure, then add the panko and stir to combine. Sprinkle over the top along with the remaining cup yellow Cheddar.
• Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until the liquid is absorbed, the rice is tender and the cheese is melted, about 15 more minutes.

CALIFORNIA RICE

Steps:

• In large skillet, saute onions in butter until limp. Add rice, sour cream, cottage cheese, bay leaf, salt and pepper. Mix together.
• In a greased 13 x 9-inch pan put a layer of rice, then a layer of chilies, alternately. (Use about a total of 1 1/3 cups cheese in each layer). Repeat, ending with a layer or rice.
• Bake for 25 minutes in a 375 degrees F oven. Remove from oven and remove and discard bay leaf. Sprinkle remaining 1/3 cup grated cheese over top and return to bake 10 minutes longer.

CALIFORNIA RICE AND BEANS

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. Combine the mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, walnuts, half of the garlic, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste in a bowl; toss, then divide between 2 rimmed baking sheets. Roast, stirring once or twice, until the vegetables are tender and browned in spots, about 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the beans, the remaining garlic, the lemon juice, the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/3 cup water in a blender; puree until smooth. Add the parsley and pulse until just combined.
• Heat the brown rice as the label directs. Divide among plates and top with the roasted vegetables, bean puree and sprouts.

HOW TO MAKE CAULIFLOWER RICE

Steps:

• Wash and thoroughly dry cauliflower, then remove all greens.
• If using a box grater, cut the cauliflower into large chunks and use the medium-sized holes (see photo - the side commonly used to grate cheese), to grate into "rice." If using a food processor, cut into small pieces and use the grater attachment to grate the cauliflower into "rice."
• Optional: Transfer to a clean towel or paper towel and press to remove any excess moisture, which can make your dish soggy.
• Once you have your cauliflower rice, it's easy to cook (or enjoy raw)! Simply sauté in a large skillet over medium heat in 1 Tbsp oil. Cover with a lid so the cauliflower steams and becomes more tender. Cook for a total of 5-8 minutes, then season as desired (such as with soy sauce or salt and pepper).
• Use cauliflower rice in recipes that call for rice, such as stir fries or fried rice! Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Store uncooked cauliflower rice in the freezer up to 1 month.