California Rice Recipes

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.

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

CALIFORNIA RICE

Steps:

• 1. In a large skillet, saute onion in butter until golden. Remove from heat and stir in rice, sour cream, cottage cheese, bay leaf, salt and pepper. Lightly mix.
• 2. Layer half the rice mixture in a buttered 9x13-inch baking dish, then half the chiles, and sprinkle with 1 cup of the cheese. Repeat layers.
• 3. Bake in a preheated 375-degree oven for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and serve.

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.

CALIFORNIA RICE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Melt butter in skillet and saute onion until golden brown.
• In a large mixing bowl mix all the ingredients together.
• Transfer to a crockpot at low setting for 4 hours. OR put in a lightly greased 2 quart shallow baking dish in preheated oven at 375 degrees uncovered for about 25 minutes or until bubbly and hot.
• * Note: to prepare 4 cups fluffy white rice, bring 2 1/2 cups cold water to boiling in a large saucepan. Add 1 cup converted rice and 1 tsp salt. Cover tightly and cook over low heat until water is absorbed, about 25-35 minutes.

DEEP-FRIED CALIFORNIA ROLL RICE BALLS

Steps:

• Prepare filling: Toss crabmeat and avocado together in a bowl and place in the refrigerator to chill until needed.
• Bring water to a boil on the stovetop. Add rice, stir, cover, and remove from heat. Set aside until water is absorbed, about 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
• When the rice is set up and still hot, blend in cream cheese, soy sauce, garlic salt, and pepper until the cream cheese is fully incorporated and no chunks remain.
• Scoop out a golf ball-sized handful of the rice mixture and flatten it into a patty. Add about a heaping teaspoon of the avocado-crab filling into the center. Cup your hand and close the rice around the filling. Roll between your hands if needed to seal and get a good round shape; patch any holes with more rice if needed. Roll in bread crumbs until well coated. Repeat to make remaining balls.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Add 1 to 2 balls to the hot oil at a time. If not fully submerged, let each side of the ball fry until golden brown, about 30 seconds per side. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Continue to fry remaining rice balls.
• Combine mayonnaise and Sriracha for dipping sauce. Serve with rice balls.