Harvest Tomato Basil Rice With Pancetta Food

TOMATO BASIL RICE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, cook onion in olive oil until it begins to soften, about 4 minutes. Add rice and cook 2-3 minutes or until the rice starts to brown a little bit.
• Stir in chicken broth, tomatoes (with any juices), and garlic. Add salt & pepper to taste.
• Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook 20 minutes without lifting the lid.
• Remove from heat and rest 5 minutes before removing the lid. Add 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese and basil. Mix well.
• Place in a bowl, garnish with remaining parmesan cheese, additional basil and fresh tomatoes if desired.

TOMATO BASIL RICE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and onion, cook until translucent, 2 - 3 minutes. Add basil and cook for 20 seconds - don't let it burn.
• Add remaining ingredients except basil. Mix until tomato paste is dissolved.
• Crush basil sprig in hand, drop on surface then push in (leave on surface, don't stir).
• Cover and bring to simmer, then immediately turn down heat to medium low (or low if stove is strong) and cook for 15 minutes or until liquid is fully absorbed - tilt saucepan to check.
• Remove from heat and set aside, covered, for 10 minutes.
• Remove basil sprig. Fluff with fork, taste for salt. Then leave to stand for another 5 minutes, uncovered. Stir through fresh basil. Serve immediately.

BASIL AND TOMATO FRIED RICE

Steps:

• In a bowl, whisk the eggs with 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Heat a large wok or 12-inch well-seasoned cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium-high. When hot, add 1 tablespoon of oil, then pour in the beaten egg. Cook for 15 to 30 seconds, allowing the bottom to set slightly, before stirring and turning until just set. Break up the egg slightly, then remove from the wok and set aside.
• Heat the wok over high. Add 2 tablespoons of oil, along with the onions, and stir-fry for 1 minute, until slightly softened. Add the garlic and bird's-eye chiles and stir for 15 to 30 seconds, until fragrant. Next, add the tomatoes and 1 teaspoon of salt, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, tossing every now and then, until the tomatoes are softened. (Reduce heat to medium-high if it starts getting too smoky or the garlic begins to scorch.)
• Add the rice, soy sauce and half the basil, and season with 1 to 2 teaspoons of salt, to taste. Reduce heat to medium-high and stir-fry for 5 to 6 minutes, allowing the rice to soak up the tomato juices. As the liquid cooks off, the rice will char (though less so if using a nonstick pan) and develop some smoky flavors.
• Add the egg and remaining basil and toss for 1 minute. Turn off the heat and check seasonings, adding some black pepper and more salt if needed. Serve immediately.

TOMATO-BASIL-PANCETTA PASTA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta with some salt 'al dente' according to its package instructions and drain, wash with cold water.
• Prepare the vegetables: half the cherry tomatoes, slice the mushrooms, and shredd the basil (you can be a bit more liberal with the amount if you want). Last, chop the garlic-clove.
• Heat the olive oil in a frying pan, and add the pancetta. Stir on medium heat for about a minute until the pancetta gets crisp. Turn the heat down and add the garlic. Toss it for another minute, until slightly 'fried'*.
• Add the tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes, frequently turning them around. Now, add half of the port and cook further for 2 minutes until almost all the [port] liquid has evaporated.
• Turn the heat back to medium-heat and add the mushrooms and black pepper. Stir around the vegetables for 1 minute, and add the remaining port. Let the liquid evaporate slightly, after which you add the shredded basil.
• Cook for 2 more minutes until the basil has shrunk. At this stage, the vegetables should still be 'pooling' in a bit of liquid, which you do need to add flavor the pasta.
• Add the pasta and turn down the heat. Stir around for 2-3 minutes, to absorb [most of ] the sauce.
• Done! Serve in nice pasta bowls with some Parmesan/Pecorino cheese [if desired].