Basmati Asparagus Rice Recipes

ASPARAGUS & BASMATI RICE

Steps:

• 1. In a microwaveable covered dish combine the rice, oil, salt, and water. Microwave on high for 10-12 minutes. Fluff up rice after cooking 6 minutes. Fluff up again at the end of the cooking time. Taste test rice, it should be "just under done". Not mushy.
• 2. Toss in asparagus and butter. Cover and let the asparagus steam for 2-3 minutes.
• 3. Squeeze on lime or lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste, toss and serve.

PARMESAN ASPARAGUS RICE

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoon butter in a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir onion until softened and turning translucent, about 1 minute. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Stir in the rice, asparagus, and stock. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low.
• Stir occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Continue cooking until the rice is tender, about 10 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and gently stir in the Parmesan cheese and remaining butter. Serve immediately.

RICE AND ASPARAGUS WITH ONIONS

Steps:

• Combine rice and stock and bring to boil in heavy-bottom pot.
• Chop whole onion and heat oil in small nonstick pot. When oil is hot, add the onion, reduce heat to medium high and saute onion until it softens and begins to brown.
• When rice begins to boil, reduce heat to simmer and cover, cooking a total of 17 minutes.
• Wash and break tough stems from asparagus at the point where the woody part meets the tender part. Cut the asparagus just below the head and then cut remaining stems into one-inch pieces.
• When the onion is soft, stir it into the rice. Place a steamer in the pot in which the onion was cooked and place asparagus in the steamer; cook about 3 minutes, until asparagus is crisp but tender.
• Wash, dry and mince enough mint to make 2 tablespoons.
• When rice is cooked, stir in drained asparagus and add mint and the salt.

LEMON-ASPARAGUS RICE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan, add the onion, and cook until the onion softens, about 4 minutes. Add the rice and toast the grains, stirring occasionally, until the rice begins to look opaque (bright white), about 4 minutes. Add the water, butter, lemon slice, and lemon zest, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, slice off the tough ends of the asparagus stalks and discard them. Cut the spears on a diagonal into 1-inch lengths. Fill a large non-reactive pot with a steamer rack with 1/2 inch water, place the pot over medium heat, and bring the water to a simmer. Add the asparagus, cover, and cook until just tender, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Transfer the cooked rice to a serving bowl and toss in the asparagus. Season with salt and pepper and serve.