Olive Raisin Rice Recipes

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

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.

SKILLET CHICKEN AND RICE WITH ANCHOVIES AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 325 degrees. In a 12-inch skillet with a lid, heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and season them with salt and pepper. When the oil is hot, place the thighs in the skillet, skin-side down. Cook, undisturbed, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and the chicken releases easily from the pan. You may need to raise the heat slightly during the last few minutes if the skin isn't browned enough.
• Flip the chicken thighs and cook for 3 minutes on the other side, then transfer to a plate and set aside.
• Discard all but about 3 tablespoons fat from the skillet. Add the diced fennel, onion and oregano, and cook over medium for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender. Add the anchovies, garlic and red-pepper flakes and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant.
• Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring often, until it begins to caramelize and turn rusty brown in color. Add the wine and cook, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan, until the liquid has almost completely evaporated.
• Add the rice, olives and raisins to the skillet and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the chicken broth, orange juice and a few grinds of black pepper, and bring to a simmer.
• Place the chicken thighs on top, skin-side up, nestling them into the liquid so only the skin is above the surface. Cut the orange slices into half-moons and arrange them around the chicken. Drizzle the orange slices with olive oil.
• Cover and bake for 30 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed. (If you'd like to crisp the chicken skin, pop the pan under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes.)
• Top with fennel fronds, more red-pepper flakes and a sprinkle of salt. Serve hot.

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.