Tag: rice

  • Cauliflower Rice

    cauliflower rice

    Maybe you’ve already heard of cauliflower “rice,” but maybe not. The idea is to recreate the texture and flavor of rice using grated cauliflower. Seems strange, and I’ll admit to having been skeptical for a long time after first hearing the concept. But I finally tried my hand at it, and not only does this make for an amazing rice substitute when you need something to soak up a curry or stew, but it’s also quicker and more foolproof than cooking rice. I actually found myself preferring the ways in which this cauliflower rice differs from real rice – the slight toastiness lent from pan frying and the slight variety in sizes (unlike uniformly sized rice kernels, the grated cauliflower (depending on how you grate it) has some slightly larger and slightly smaller pieces). In addition to people eating low carb (and other rice-free diets), I’d also recommend this for just about anyone interested in a little change of pace and a great way to incorporate another vegetable into your meal.

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  • Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya

    shrimp and sausage jambalaya

    I love traveling; going to another place is a chance to experience another culture and connect with other people. Strangely though, most of my traveling has been outside of the United States rather than within it. Up until surprisingly recently (a couple years ago), I hadn’t even been west of western Maryland (despite having traveled internationally multiple times). But I’m planning on making my way around the US soon, and one city I know I want to stop in is New Orleans. Typically seen as a city of excess, yes (laissez les bon temps rouler), but also a city of people passionate about food and drink, two things very close to my heart. So this jambalaya (and my Cajun spice mix) is my first tentative connection to the city, my attempt to start connecting with the culture there before I can get there myself. I tried to keep this recipe relatively simple, and it comes together surprisingly fast. While modifying stock with shrimp shells (for some extra flavor), you sautee up andouille sausage and the Cajun holy trinity (onion, bell pepper, and celery), then combine the two with tomatoes and rice and pop it in the oven for a nice even heating. The result is very flavorful and (according to my boyfriend, who attended school in New Orleans) fairly authentic.

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  • Chinese Sticky Rice

    Chinese Sticky Rice

    Another dim sum favorite of mine, Chinese sticky rice provides a great combination of sweet and savory. This recipe is a perfect recreation of the dish, studded with little bits of tasty mix-ins, including sweet Chinese sausage (with a taste reminiscent of raisins), dried mushrooms, and dried shrimp, which are all essential to the rice’s success. The technique involves sauteeing all the ingredients, including the rice, and then transferring the mix to a steamer – something I was initially skeptical about that ultimately yielded amazing results. Together with some scallion pancakes (which you undoubtedly have waiting in your freezer, right?), you can be well on your way to your own dim sum feast.

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