Fancy Not Fried Rice Recipes

WEEKNIGHT FANCY CHICKEN AND RICE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan with a lid, melt ghee over medium-high heat. Add onions, cardamom, star anise and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions are soft and a very deep golden brown, about 15 minutes, lowering heat if necessary to keep from burning them. Add garlic and turmeric; cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes, or until very fragrant. Add chicken and cook for 4 minutes, stirring to coat chicken with the onion mixture.
• Add stock and remaining salt, increase the heat and bring to a boil. Add rice, stir and cover. Reduce heat to low and simmer until the rice has absorbed liquid, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 12 minutes. Remove lid and fluff rice with a fork.
• Transfer chicken and rice to a bowl, taking care to remove and discard cardamom pods and star anise. Garnish with apricots, almonds and cilantro. Serve at once.

FANCY NOT FRIED RICE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a Dutch oven, or a smaller vessel with a heavy bottom, over medium-high heat. Add the rice and salt, stirring to coat the rice with oil. When the rice starts to appear opaque and chalky, add enough cold water to cover the rice by the width of two fingers (about one inch). Bring to a rapid boil, and boil - without stirring! - until the water level reaches the level of the rice.
• Don't walk away, it happens sooner that you think.
• Stir the rice once and reduce the heat to low and cover (I turned off the heat, but left the covered pot on the burner for 25 minutes as I have an electric stove). Set the timer to 20 minutes and walk away.
• Do not uncover, think about or, most definitely, stir the rice.
• If you are using any fresh/frozen vegetables, now would be a good time to blanch in boiling water with up to ¼ teaspoon salt - when the water comes back to a boil - remove and drain
• Chop onions and ham (if needed)
• About 10 to 15 minutes after the rice has been covered.
• Using a medium skillet over medium heat add ham and blanched veggies - after a minute of two add chopped green onions (you want them to be slightly softened, but not fully cooked) then when everything is heated add canned peas - you want everything warm, but not over cooked.
• Uncover the perfect rice, add ham and veggies and fluff. You can leave the rice covered in a heavy pot and it will stay hot and in good shape for about an hour.

FANCY RICE

Steps:

• Cook onion, chopped bell pepper, mushrooms, and garlic in 1/4 cup of butter until the onion is transparent. Add rice and herb packets and cook, stirring, until the rice begins to turn golden.
• Add the chicken broth and simmer gently in a covered pan until the rice is barely tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Butter a deep casserole dish. Lightly transfer half the rice mixture to the dish with a fork. Top with half the pepper rings and half the cheese. Repeat layers. Dot with remaining butter and pour cream over the top.
• Cover and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.