Olive Raisin Rice Food

CHICKEN WITH OLIVES, RAISINS, AND SPINACH RICE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring 1 3/4 cups water to a boil. Add rice, season with salt, and return to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook just until tender, 16 to 18 minutes. Remove pan from heat; add spinach, cover, and let stand, without stirring, for 5 minutes. Using a fork, fluff rice and mix in spinach.
• While rice is cooking, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook in 2 batches, until browned outside and opaque throughout, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate (reserve skillet); cover with aluminum foil to keep warm.
• Add wine, olives, and raisins to skillet. Cook over medium-high until wine is almost evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes. Add cup 1/2 water; cook until sauce is reduced by half, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve chicken over spinach rice, and top with sauce.

CHICKEN AND RICE WITH OLIVES

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 minutes. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon oregano; cook 30 seconds.
• Add the rice, olives, lemon quarters, 1 1/2 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt to the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and stir. Cover and simmer until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 17 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, add to the skillet and cook, turning once, until browned, about 8 minutes. Add the remaining 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon oregano and cook, stirring, until the garlic is softened, about 10 seconds. Add the lemon juice and scrape up any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Add the chicken broth, bring to a simmer and cook until reduced by about half and the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes.
• Fluff the rice with a fork. Divide among plates, top with the chicken and pan juices and sprinkle with the chives.

MIDDLE EASTERN RAISIN RICE

Steps:

• Wash rice well. Place 2 cups rice in a rice maker (or pot), add 4 cups water, or enough water to just cover the rice with no grains sticking out.
• Add raisins, salt, cinnamon, saffron (optional) and then drizzle olive oil around in a circle over the rice mixture. Mix well with spoon so rice and ingredients are blended together. There should be enough cinnamon added to give off a strong scent of cinnamon. Adjust amount as needed.
• Cook rice in rice maker or pot and after rice is cooked, stir ingredients together one more time. Spoon onto large platter and serve with plain, nonfat yogurt.

CLASSIC CUBAN-STYLE PICADILLO

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir garlic, onion, and green bell pepper in the hot oil until softened, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Crumble ground beef into the skillet; cook and stir until browned completely, 7 to 10 minutes.
• Stir olives, raisins, capers, tomato sauce, sazon seasoning, cumin, sugar, and salt through the ground beef mixture.
• Cover the skillet, reduce heat to low, and cook until the mixture is heated through, 5 to 10 minutes.

HERBED RICE WITH RAISINS

Steps:

• Cook the rice as the label directs. Spread out on a baking sheet and let cool completely. Soak the raisins in the lemon juice in a cup, 10 minutes. Meanwhile, toss the rice with the chervil, basil, parsley, cilantro and carrot in a large bowl. Chop the pea shoots, reserving some whole for garnish, and add to the bowl. Drain the raisins, straining the lemon juice into a separate bowl. Add the vinegar, lemon zest, sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste to the lemon juice. Whisk in the olive oil. Add to the rice mixture along with the raisins and toss. Season with salt and pepper. Top with the reserved pea shoots.
• Photograph by Jonny Valiant

HEALTHY SICILIAN CAULIFLOWER RICE

Steps:

• Soak the raisins in warm water until plump, about 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, trim the cauliflower florets, cutting away as much stem as possible. In three batches, break up the florets into a food processor and pulse until the texture resembles that of couscous.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. At the first wisp of smoke from the oil, add the onions, and stir to coat. Continue cooking the onions, stirring frequently, until the edges are golden brown and the onions have softened, about 6 minutes. Add the almonds, raisins, capers, garlic, lemon zest and red pepper flakes, and cook, stirring, until the almonds are golden, about 3 minutes.
• Add the cauliflower to the skillet, and stir to combine. Add 1 teaspoon salt, and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the cauliflower has softened, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Spoon the cauliflower into a large serving bowl, garnish with parsley and season to taste with salt. Serve warm.

GREEN OLIVE-GOLDEN RAISIN RELISH

Steps:

• Place raisins in a small bowl; add enough warm water to cover. Soak until plump and softened; drain. On a work surface, roughly chop raisins. Transfer to a medium bowl.
• Stir in olives, shallots, olive oil, and vinegar; mix well.

SPANISH RICE WITH OLIVES

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a saucepan and add chopped onion and sliced garlic.
• Cook until tender and lightly browned.
• Add remaining ingredients, stirring well.
• Bring mixture to a boil, then cover and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes or until all the liquid has been absorbed.
• Remove from heat, and place a thick towel between the pan lid and pan.
• Allow to sit undisturbed for 5-10 minutes.
• Fluff with a fork and serve.