Stormy Rice Recipes

SAFFRON BASMATI RICE

Steps:

• Rinse the rice in a colander under cold water until it runs clear, picking out any little pieces of grit or debris. Shake off the excess water. Heat a pot over medium heat, and then add the rice, oil, garlic, saffron and cayenne pepper. Stir and toast the rice until the cayenne and saffron are fragrant, about 4 minutes. Shake the pot to level out the rice, and then add the chicken stock to fill about 1/2-inch over the rice. Bring to a boil, and then lower to a simmer and cover to cook for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the rice stand another 5 minutes, covered. Fluff with a fork. Stir in the almond slivers and lemon zest, season with salt and pepper and serve.

BAHAMIAN PEAS AND RICE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, combine the oil, bacon, onion, bell pepper, celery, thyme leaves, a pinch of salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring, until the bacon is crisped and the onion is tender and fragrant, about 10 minutes.
• Add the garlic and rice and toast the rice until it has a nutty, popcorn-like scent, about 10 minutes more.
• Stir in the peas, tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire, habanero pepper, and 3 cups water. Bring the pot to a boil, and then reduce to a low simmer and cover. Cook until the rice absorbs the liquid, 35 to 40 minutes. Try to avoid lifting the lid until the 30-minute mark, as the steam helps cook the rice.
• Serve warm.

AIRMAN ANDERSON'S CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a large heavy-bottomed pot, pour in enough oil to fill the pot about a third of the way. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted into the oil reaches 350 degrees F.
• Line a sheet tray with a wire cooling rack. Slice chicken into 2-inch pieces. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, cayenne, salt and black pepper to taste. In a paper bag, shake together salt, pepper, flour and cornstarch. Dip the chicken in batches, first in egg mixture, then in the flour mixture and shake to coat. Set on a wire rack and let sit 10 minutes. While chicken is resting, prepare sauce. In a large straight sided saute pan combine orange zest, orange juice, brown sugar, butter, hot pepper flakes and Worcestershire sauce. Stir, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until thickened, 5 to 8 minutes. Carefully place chicken in hot oil and fry until golden and crispy, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to the saute pan with the sauce and toss until evenly coated. Remove to a serving platter and serve on Stormy Rice.
• In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and rice and saute 4 minutes, stirring, so that the rice toasts and the garlic cooks. Add the chicken broth to the rice mixture, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit covered another 5 minutes. Stir in the peanuts, scallions, and salt and pepper, to taste. Rice can be made 1 day ahead, then warmed and combined with other ingredients before serving.