Brazilian Christmas Rice Recipes

BRAZILIAN CHRISTMAS RICE

Steps:

• Soak raisins in a bowl of hot water until soft, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain.
• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and garlic in the hot oil until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Stir in raisins, rice, and salt; cook and stir until rice is coated with oil, about 3 minutes.
• Pour boiling water and Champagne into the saucepan. Cover and cook until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
• Place dried apricots in a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil; simmer until soft, about 5 minutes. Drain and cool slightly, about 5 minutes. Cut into strips.
• Place grated carrot in a small bowl and cover with boiling water. Season with salt. Let soak until softened, about 5 minutes. Drain.
• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in apricot strips and sun-dried tomatoes; cook for 2 minutes.
• Fold apricot strips and sun-dried tomatoes into the cooked rice. Pile rice onto a serving platter; garnish with grated carrot.

TRUE BRAZILIAN RICE

Steps:

• Wash the rice until the water runs clear and set aside to dry. Boil enough water for two cups. Chop the onions and garlic finely. Place a pan over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once olive oil is heated add the chopped onions and garlic.
• Sauté until fragrant; approximately 3 minutes. Add the dry rice to the pan and stir for an additional 3-4 minutes making sure that the rice does not stick to the bottom of the pan. Add the two cups of boiling water to the rice and the salt.
• Place a lid on the pan and cook on medium heat for 8 minutes. Decrease the heat to low and cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until the water has all evaporated. If the rice is not cooked yet, add a little bit more water!

CRAZY RICE - BRAZILIAN

Steps:

• Place the rice in a large bowl and add cold water to cover by 3 inches. Swirl the rice around with your fingers until the water becomes cloudy, then pour through a strainer to drain. Repeat the process until the water remains clear. This will take 4 to 6 rinsings.
• Place the rice in a large, heavy pot. Add enough water to cover the rice by 3/4 inch (about 2 1/2 cups). Stir in the salt and butter and bring the rice to a boil over high heat. Tightly cover the pan, reduce the heat to low, and cook the rice until tender, about 18 minutes, but check after 15 minutes: If the rice is too wet, set the cover ajar to allow some of the liquid to evaporate; if too dry, add 2 to 3 tablespoons water. Remove the pot from the heat and let the rice stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff it with a fork and set aside.
• Meanwhile, prepare the flavorings. Heat the oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons fat. Add the onion, garlic, bell peppers, corn, both raisins, and the parsley. Cook until the onion begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir the rice into the vegetable mixture and cook until thoroughly heated, about 2 minutes. Correct the seasoning, adding salt and black pepper as needed.

BRAZILIAN WHITE RICE

Steps:

• Place the rice in a colander and rinse thoroughly with cold water; set aside.
• Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook the onion in the oil for one minute. Stir in the garlic and cook until the garlic is golden brown. Add the rice and salt and cook and stir until the rice begins to brown. Pour hot water over rice mixture and stir. Reduce heat to low, cover the saucepan, and allow to simmer until the water has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes.