White Rice With Basil And Corn Recipes

SESAME CORN AND BASIL SAUTE

Steps:

• Lightly toast the sesame seeds in a large skillet over medium heat, taking care not to burn them, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and reserve.
• Return the skillet to medium heat and add the butter and garlic. Saute the garlic as the butter melts, about 2 minutes. Add the corn, salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the corn is just tender and warmed through, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the sesame seeds and half the basil and mix until combined. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with the remaining basil.

FRESH CORN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the corn for 3 minutes until the starchiness is just gone. Drain and immerse it in ice water to stop the cooking and to set the color. When the corn is cool, cut the kernels off the cob, cutting close to the cob.
• Toss the kernels in a large bowl with the red onions, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Just before serving, toss in the fresh basil. Taste for seasonings and serve cold or at room temperature.

LONG GRAIN WHITE RICE WITH CORN, PEPPERS AND ONIONS

Steps:

• If using fresh corn: After removing the husks and silk, cut the kernels from the cobs using a sharp knife (being careful not to cut into the cob itself). Place the kernels into a bowl and using the knife, scrape up and down the shaft of the cob (over the bowl of corn) extracting the natural "corn cream". If using canned or frozen corn, simply begin with step #2.
• To saute the vegetables: Melt the butter (or heat the oil) in a 2 1/2 quart heavy bottomed sauce pot (one that comes with a tight fitting lid). When hot, add the onions and garlic and saute for 3 minutes. Add the green pepper and saute until all the vegetables are softened and very fragrant, about 5 minutes over meduimlow heat.
• To toast the rice: If using an "aromatic" rice, rinse it through a sieve (medium mesh) and drain well (see note). Add the rice and cook over medium heat, stirring to coat the rice with the butter and vegetables. Cook for about 3 minutes or until the rice is dry and beginning to turn golden.
• To simmer (see note): Add the hot broth and return to a boil. Stir in the corn (whether fresh, drained canned or frozen), and bring back to a boil. Cover the pot and turn the heat to low. Simmer over a low flame for exactly 17 minutes without lifting the lid.
• To "settle" and serve: Uncover and add a good amount of fresh pepper and some salt to taste. If desired, stir in 1 tablespoon of additional butter or margarine. Fluff with a fork, and cover the pot. Allow the rice to settle for 3 to 5 minutes to absorb any excess moisture. Serve hot.
• Time Management Tips:
• 1) For extra ease of preparation when assembling, all listed fresh vegetables can be chopped as much as one day ahead and kept refrigerated in separate (well covered) bowls.
• 2) The stock can be made months ahead and kept frozen in securely covered, heavy freezer containers.
• "Variation" Tips:
• 1) Changing the type of stock can give your rice dish a totally different taste and (at times) color. Choose your stock according to your menu and don't be afraid to mix different types of stock,vegetables (and herbs) to create an even more complex flavor. Also, always thaw more stock than you'll need so you can boil it down until the volume is reduced (which will concentrate the flavor).
• Some winning combinations of stock: Beef and chicken, chicken and shrimp, veal and beef, veal and chicken or chicken and fish.
• Tips From a Teacher:
• The most renown type of aromatic rice is Basmati rice which (once grown only in Pakistan and India), is now also grown here in the United States. This type of rice is special (although pricey) not only for it's nutty, butterlike and seductive flavor, but during cooking, the grains swell much more in length than in width, making the feel of the cooked rice more distinctive in the mouth. Basmati rice is also lower in starch which encourages the grains to remain separate.
• Jasmine rice, another long grain white rice once grown exclusively in Thailand, is now also grown here and the flavor is similar to Basmati although the texture is somewhat softer when cooked. The other readilyavailable types of aromatic rice are grown here and come in both white, tan and brown varieties. All of the new domestic breeds of rice are an attempt to duplicate the flavor and aroma of Basmati, at a more affordable price. They can be identified as Texmati, Wehani and Popcorn rice (also called Wild Pecan rice). These are all delicious and lend their own unique characteristics to the finished dish.

RISOTTO WITH TOMATOES AND CORN

Steps:

• Remove corn kernels from cobs and set aside the kernels. Simmer the cobs in stock for 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from stock and discard. Make sure your stock is well seasoned. Bring back to a simmer over low heat, with a ladle nearby or in the pot.
• Heat olive oil over medium heat in a wide, heavy skillet or a wide, heavy saucepan. Add onion and a generous pinch of salt, and cook gently until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and rice and cook, stirring, until grains of rice are separate and beginning to crackle, a minute or two. Stir in tomatoes, sugar and salt to taste and cook, stirring, until tomatoes have cooked down slightly, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Add wine and stir until it has evaporated and has been absorbed by the rice. Begin adding simmering stock, a couple of ladlefuls (about 1/2 cup) at a time. Stock should just cover the rice and should be bubbling, not too slowly but not too quickly. Cook, stirring often, until it is just about absorbed. Add another ladleful or two of the stock and continue to cook in this fashion, adding more stock and stirring when rice is almost dry. You do not have to stir continually, but stir often and vigorously. After 10 minutes, add corn and continue for another 10 to 15 minutes. When rice is just tender all the way through but still chewy (al dente), in 20 to 25 minutes, it is done. Taste now and adjust seasoning.
• Add another ladleful of stock to rice. Stir in basil (or basil, parsley and chives) and Parmesan and remove from heat. The mix should be creamy (add more stock if it sn't). Serve right away in wide soup bowls or on plates, spreading the risotto in a thin layer rather than a mound.

WHITE RICE WITH BASIL AND CORN FROM CASA MARCELA

Steps:

• Combine the water, rice, and corn in a medium pot and bring to a boil. Add the butter and salt and swirl in the pan to combine and melt the butter. Decrease the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook until the rice is almost cooked through, about 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes to finish cooking. Fluff the rice with a fork, add the basil, and stir to combine. Serve immediately.
• Recipe courtesy of Casa Marcela by Marcela Valladolid. Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Casa-Marcela-Recipes-Stories-Californias/dp/054480855X.