St Lucian Rice Recipes

ST. LUCIAN RICE

Steps:

• Wash rice.
• Put water, rice, olive oil, garlic and salt in pot to boil. (Don't measure the water. Use a 4 quart sauce pot about a cup of rice with water about halfway or more up the pot.
• Half cover with lid.
• Boil (about 30 minutes at sea level).
• As you can see, all ingredients are approximate. They don't use measuring devices in St. Lucia. Can add veggies or other spices to taste. More salt, garlic or less, to taste.

CURRIED RICE, BACON, AND CABBAGE PILAF

Steps:

• Cook bacon in large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels. Add 4 tablespoons butter to drippings in skillet; melt. Add onion, garlic, and ginger. Sauté over medium-high heat 5 minutes. Add rice, curry powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir 1 minute. Add broth; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium. Stir, cover, and simmer until broth is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt remaining butter in large pot over medium-high heat. Add cabbage; sauté 3 minutes. Mix in tomatoes and green onions. Season with salt and pepper. Stir rice mixture into cabbage.

CARIBBEAN YELLOW RICE

Steps:

• Heat annatto seeds and oil in a very small saucepan over low heat, swirling pan frequently, until oil turns bright red-orange and begins to simmer, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 10 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl, discarding seeds.
• Cook onion, bell pepper, garlic, and cilantro in 1 1/2 tablespoons annatto oil in a 2-to 3-quart heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring, until vegetables are softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring, until most of grains are opaque, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in water and 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil. Stir rice again, then reduce heat to low and cook, covered, until rice is just tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes.
• Fluff rice with a fork before serving.
• Cooks' notes:
• You can substitute 1/4 teaspoon saffron for the annatto. Use only 1 1/2 tablespoon oil and crumble saffron into oil just before using it.
• Leftover annatto oil keeps, refrigerated in an airtight container, up to 1 month.

COCONUT BASMATI RICE

Steps:

• Combine 2 cups water, coconut milk, sugar, and salt in heavy large saucepan. Bring to simmer, then stir in rice. Cover, leaving slight opening for steam to escape. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 12 minutes. Cover tightly, remove from heat, and let stand 10 minutes. Transfer rice to bowl; sprinkle with toasted coconut.