Brown Rice Piirakka Recipes

BROWN RICE...THE FAST WAY!

Steps:

• Using a strainer, rinse the rice under cold water, then drain it completely. (Here's why.)
• In a saucepan over high heat, bring the water to a boil. Add the rice and stir. Continue to boil uncovered until tender, with the water bubbling rapidly, for 20 minutes. Start tasting at 18 to 20 minutes: if the rice is tender, remove the heat. If not, keep cooking 5 to 10 minutes more until the rice is tender. (All rice types and brands are slightly different, so you'll have to adjust according to the specific rice. Ours is usually done in around 18 to 25 minutes.)
• Pour the rice into a strainer, then return it to the pot. Cover the pot and allow the rice to steam for 5 minutes. Uncover and fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in the salt.

FRIED BROWN RICE

Steps:

• Brown rice is easy to cook. We have detailed instructions in our post on How to Make Perfect Brown Rice, either on the stove, or in any rice cooker.
• If you are making brown rice fresh the same day, let the cooked rice cool completely before using it. It's best to transfer the rice from the pot to a sheet pan and fluff it with a fork, so it can dry out and cool simultaneously.
• Day-old brown rice also works nicely, as cold rice clumps are drier and easily broken apart in the wok. Simply take the brown rice out of the refrigerator, wet your hands with a little water, and break up any clumps so you have individual rice grains. Rinse your hands with a little more water if rice sticks to your hands.
• If using beef, chicken, or pork, add 1 tablespoon water, 1¼ teaspoons dark mushroom soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon vegetable oil to the meat. Mix until all the liquid is absorbed by the meat to tenderize and add moisture. If you're using shrimp, just omit the dark mushroom soy sauce.
• Next, mix in 1 teaspoon cornstarch and set aside. We made a version with beef, but you can pick any meat of your choosing or go vegetarian with a vegetable fried brown rice.
• Mixing your sauce ahead of time is much easier than adding everything individually to a hot wok. In a small bowl, mix 2 teaspoons hot water and ¼ teaspoon granulated sugar until dissolved. Stir in ⅛ teaspoon ground white pepper, ½ teaspoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce, 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, and ½ teaspoon MSG if using. Set aside.
• Heat the wok until just smoking. Spread two tablespoons of vegetable oil evenly around the wok, and add the beaten eggs. Turn the heat down and stir the eggs until scrambled. Transfer back to the same bowl, and set aside.
• Heat the wok until smoking. Add one tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the marinated meat to the wok. Spread it out in one single layer, and sear for 30 seconds on each side. Scoop it back into the bowl and set aside.
• With the heat on high, add the chopped onions to the wok (there should be some oil remaining from searing the meat). Cook until translucent. If using fresh carrots, add them at the same time you add the onions. If using frozen carrots, add them after the onions turn translucent.Continue stir frying until the carrots are heated through.
• Add the cooked brown rice. Your heat should be really high at this point to prevent sticking. Use your metal wok spatula to stir-fry the rice, scraping from the bottom of the wok to prevent sticking. This is an essential technique for fried rice.
• Once the brown rice is warmed (after 1 to 2 minutes of stir-frying), pour the prepared sauce evenly over the rice. Stir fry for another 1-2 minutes to evenly distribute the sauce.
• Add in the seared meat. Spread 1 tablespoon of Shaoxing wine around the perimeter of the wok, and give everything a quick stir.
• Next, stir in the scrambled eggs. Then, stir in the frozen peas until heated through. Toss in the chopped scallions and stir fry for another 15 seconds. Use a clean spoon to taste the rice, and re-season with more soy sauce or salt if needed.
• Plate and serve immediately.

KARJALAN PIES

Steps:

• Combine rice and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until water is absorbed. Stir in milk, cover, and cook until milk is absorbed by the rice, about 20 minutes. Season with salt to taste.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (220 degrees C). In a medium bowl, stir together the salt and rye flour. Stir in water. Mix in all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon at a time until dough is just past the sticky stage. Divide the dough into 16 equal portions.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece of dough out into a thin circle 6 inches in diameter. The dough should be as thin as possible. Place about 3 tablespoons of the rice mixture in the center of each circle. Spread the mixture out to within 1 inch of the edges. Fold the edges of the dough upward, and crimp the edges so as to allow the pastries to hold their shape. Pinch the sides at each end to form a little boat. Place pastries about 3 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet, and brush the tops with butter.
• Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until the dough is firm, and the rice porridge is slightly browned on the top. Serve warm.

KARJALAN PIIRAKKA (KARELIAN PIE) WITH EGG BUTTER

Steps:

• For the Filling:.
• In a saucepan combine the water and rice. Bring to a boil.
• Stir, cover, and cook over low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the milk, cover, and continue cooking until the milk is completely absorbed and the rice is soft and creamy.
• Preheat oven to 450°F
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• For the Pastry:
• In a medium-sized bowl, combine the water, salt, and rye and white flours to make a stiff dough.
• Shape the dough into a log and cut into 16 portions and shape each into a round.
• On a lightly floured board, roll out each round into a 6-inch circle.
• Spread about 3 tablespoons of filling evenly on each round.
• Fold two opposite edges of the pastry over the filling and crimp the edges of the dough toward the center to make an oval-shaped pastry, allowing about 1/2-inch of the crust to overlay the filling and leaving the center of the filling exposed.
• Place on the prepared baking sheet.
• In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter and hot milk and brush on the pastries.
• Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, brushing once during baking, until the pastries are golden on the edges.
• Remove from the oven and brush again.
• For the Egg Butter:.
• In a small bowl, cream the butter. Stir in the eggs.
• Season with the white pepper and ground ginger, if desired.
• Yield: 1 cup.
• Cool the pastries and serve with the egg butter at room temperature.

BROWN RICE PIIRAKKA

Steps:

• To make the filling, in a medium saucepan, combine the rice with the cup of water and bring to a boil. Add the milk and three tablespoons of the butter and reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is creamy, adding more milk if necessary. This will take about one-and-a-half hours. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Season with the salt and pepper and let cool.
• To make the pastry, combine the melted butter, water, salt and white flour in a large bowl and beat until smooth. Stir in the rye flour and mix until the dough is stiff and compact. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about five minutes. Cover and refrigerate for up to one hour, if desired.
• To assemble the piirakka, preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Divide the dough into four pieces, and divide each piece into four balls. Roll out each ball on a lightly floured surface to form a five-inch circle. Place three tablespoons of the filling on each circle, spreading it to within one inch of the edge. Fold the uncovered edges of the dough over the filling, crimping them to form an oval-shaped pastry, but leaving the center of each one open.
• Make a glaze by melting the remaining butter with the half-and-half, stirring occasionally.
• Place the pastries on a lightly greased baking sheet and brush with the glaze. Bake for five minutes, then brush again with the glaze and bake for 10 minutes longer, or until golden. Brush once more after removing the pastries from the oven. Serve warm or cold with buttered egg salad.