Rice Pilaf With A Cajuncreole Twist Food

CAJUN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Cook 1 cup wild rice blend in boiling salted water until tender, about 40 minutes; drain. Brown 3 ounces each ground pork and chopped andouille sausage in 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 chopped red bell pepper, 2 chopped celery stalks and 1 tablespoon chopped thyme and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 7 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, the cooked rice and 1 bunch chopped scallions and cook, stirring, 3 minutes. Season with salt.
• Per serving: Calories: 214; Total Fat: 10 grams; Saturated Fat: 2.5 grams; Protein: 9 grams; Total carbohydrates: 23 grams; Sugar: 2 grams; Fiber: 3 grams; Cholesterol: 19 milligrams;
• Sodium: 324 milligrams

RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Melt the butter with the shallot in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Season with the salt and pepper and cook until the onions are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the rice and stir until coated with the butter. Increase the heat to medium-high. Let the rice cook until toasted, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes more.
• Stir in the broth, bay leaf, and rosemary. Bring to a simmer over low heat, cover, and cook until all the broth has been absorbed by the rice and the rice is tender, about 15 to 18 minutes. Remove from the heat and let set for 5 minutes. Discard the rosemary and bay leaf. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve.
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RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350.
• Melt the butter in a 3-quart saucier over medium heat.
• Stir in the onion, bell pepper and 2 pinches of salt.
• Decrease the heat to low and sweat until the onion is translucent and aromatic but not browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Increase the heat to medium and add the rice. Cook, stirring frequently, until you smell nuts, another 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the saffron and its water, the broth, orange zest, bay leaves and the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Increase the heat and bring to a boil.
• OK, now the weird part: Thoroughly wet a clean towel, kill the heat, scatter the peas on top of the rice, then place the towel across the top of the saucier. Top with the lid, then fold the towel corners up over the lid.
• Transfer the saucier (towel and all) to the oven and bake 15 minutes.
• Remove and rest at room temperature for 15 more minutes without opening the lid.
• Fish out the orange zest and bay leaves. Turn the pilaf out onto a platter, fluff with a large fork and garnish with the raisins and pistachios. Serve family-style, right in the middle of the table.

CAJUN-STYLE RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Boil sausage in 1/4 cup water for 5 minutes. While the sausage is boiling, remove the shells from the shrimp. Put shells and tails in 2 cups of water. Bring shrimp water to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Grill the sausage links for about 5 minutes or until they are completely cooked through. Brush the shrimp with 1/2 tablespoon oil and grill about 2 minutes per side. Pull off and set aside.
• Heat a medium pot on medium high heat and add vegetable oil, onions, and red pepper. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes or until the onions are translucent. Add Cajun seasoning and rice; cook and stir for 1 minute. Add the Syrah Rose, stir for a few seconds, and strain the shrimp stock into the pot. Once it comes to a boil, turn the heat down to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, chop the shrimp and sausage into bite-sized pieces.
• Once rice is done, add peas, shrimp, and sausage and cook for another 2 minutes to heat through. Add salt and pepper to your taste. Garnish with chopped green onions.

CAJUN CREOLE STYLE RICE

Steps:

• saute vegetables in butter over medium heat until soft.
• add all other ingredients and stir well bring to a boil reduce the heat and cover.
• turn heat to low for 25 minutes.

SARAH'S RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a lidded skillet over medium-low heat. Cook and stir orzo pasta until golden brown. Stir in onion and cook until onion becomes translucent, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Mix in the rice and chicken broth. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender, and the liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
• MY NOTES: **I prefer to make this in a rice cooker to ensure it cooks perfect. I also double the recipe. Followed the directions for Step 1 as written except added diced carrots and used shallots in lieu of onions. Might even consider adding slivered or sliced almonds to the sauté. Transferred mixture to rice cooker. Added the **liquid and seasoning. Cooked on white rice selection. **Remember, 1-1/4 cups liquid (chicken or vegetable broth) per 1 cup each rice/orzo when cooking in a rice cooker.

RICE PILAF WITH PECANS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add carrot and onion; sauté 5 minutes.
• Add broth and orange juice, and bring to a boil. Add rice, raisins, sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
• Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Sprinkle with pecans.