Brown Rice Piirakka Recipes

BROWN RICE...THE FAST WAY!

Steps:

• Using a strainer, rinse the rice under cold water, then drain it completely. (Here's why.)
• In a saucepan over high heat, bring the water to a boil. Add the rice and stir. Continue to boil uncovered until tender, with the water bubbling rapidly, for 20 minutes. Start tasting at 18 to 20 minutes: if the rice is tender, remove the heat. If not, keep cooking 5 to 10 minutes more until the rice is tender. (All rice types and brands are slightly different, so you'll have to adjust according to the specific rice. Ours is usually done in around 18 to 25 minutes.)
• Pour the rice into a strainer, then return it to the pot. Cover the pot and allow the rice to steam for 5 minutes. Uncover and fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in the salt.

HERBED BROWN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallot and saute until tender. Add the rice and stir until the rice is glossy and coated with the butter. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add the stock, garlic and thyme. Cover with a tight fitting lid. Cook 40 minutes, turn off the heat and let sit for 10 minutes.
• Remove the thyme sprigs and garlic. Fluff with a fork and add parsley and green onions.

BROWN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• In a small skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring, until onion is golden, about 5 minutes.
• Add rice and sauté for 1 minute.
• Add broth, and season with salt and pepper to taste; bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low.
• Simmer until rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 45-50 minutes. Check rice occasionally and add water if necessary.
• Uncover and let rice stand for 5 minutes before serving.

KARJALAN PIIRAKKA (KARELIAN PIE) WITH EGG BUTTER

Steps:

• For the Filling:.
• In a saucepan combine the water and rice. Bring to a boil.
• Stir, cover, and cook over low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the milk, cover, and continue cooking until the milk is completely absorbed and the rice is soft and creamy.
• Preheat oven to 450°F
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• For the Pastry:
• In a medium-sized bowl, combine the water, salt, and rye and white flours to make a stiff dough.
• Shape the dough into a log and cut into 16 portions and shape each into a round.
• On a lightly floured board, roll out each round into a 6-inch circle.
• Spread about 3 tablespoons of filling evenly on each round.
• Fold two opposite edges of the pastry over the filling and crimp the edges of the dough toward the center to make an oval-shaped pastry, allowing about 1/2-inch of the crust to overlay the filling and leaving the center of the filling exposed.
• Place on the prepared baking sheet.
• In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter and hot milk and brush on the pastries.
• Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, brushing once during baking, until the pastries are golden on the edges.
• Remove from the oven and brush again.
• For the Egg Butter:.
• In a small bowl, cream the butter. Stir in the eggs.
• Season with the white pepper and ground ginger, if desired.
• Yield: 1 cup.
• Cool the pastries and serve with the egg butter at room temperature.

HOME-STYLE BROWN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Bring 1-1/2 cups water to boil, add rice. Bring contents back to a boil, cover the pot and simmer for 45-50 minutes, or until rice is tender.
• Approximately 20 minutes before rice is finished cooking heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in onions and saute them, stirring frequently until they soften. Add the garlic and carrots and continue stirring for 5 minutes.
• Place mushrooms inside of skillet and cook until mushrooms begin to brown, about 10 minutes. Add the chickpeas and cook 1 more minute.
• When the rice is finished cooking pour the eggs into the skillet and cook the mixture, stirring constantly until the eggs are cooked. Remove the skillet from the heat, stir in pepper, parsley, and nuts.
• Spoon the cooked rice into the skillet and stir well. Serve the pilaf hot with soy sauce on the side for added flavor.

BROWN RICE PIIRAKKA

Steps:

• To make the filling, in a medium saucepan, combine the rice with the cup of water and bring to a boil. Add the milk and three tablespoons of the butter and reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is creamy, adding more milk if necessary. This will take about one-and-a-half hours. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Season with the salt and pepper and let cool.
• To make the pastry, combine the melted butter, water, salt and white flour in a large bowl and beat until smooth. Stir in the rye flour and mix until the dough is stiff and compact. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about five minutes. Cover and refrigerate for up to one hour, if desired.
• To assemble the piirakka, preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Divide the dough into four pieces, and divide each piece into four balls. Roll out each ball on a lightly floured surface to form a five-inch circle. Place three tablespoons of the filling on each circle, spreading it to within one inch of the edge. Fold the uncovered edges of the dough over the filling, crimping them to form an oval-shaped pastry, but leaving the center of each one open.
• Make a glaze by melting the remaining butter with the half-and-half, stirring occasionally.
• Place the pastries on a lightly greased baking sheet and brush with the glaze. Bake for five minutes, then brush again with the glaze and bake for 10 minutes longer, or until golden. Brush once more after removing the pastries from the oven. Serve warm or cold with buttered egg salad.

BASIC LONG-GRAIN BROWN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a medium saucepan with a tight fitting lid, over medium heat. Add the rice and lemon peel and cook, stirring, until slightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Stir in the water and add salt to taste, bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until all the water has been absorbed by the rice, about 45 minutes. Please don't lift the lid to give a peek or stir or the rice will not cook evenly.
• Remove the pan from the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for 10 minutes?{once again, no peeking. Fluff with a fork, season with salt and pepper and serve.

BROWN RICE PILAF DISH

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, saute green onions in butter until tender. Add rice and walnuts; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until walnuts are toasted. Add the water, apricots, salt and pepper., Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

BROWN RICE MULLIGATAWNY

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat butter over medium heat. Add celery, onion and carrot; cook and stir 5-7 minutes or until tender. Add mushrooms and garlic; cook 1 minute longer., Stir in flour, curry powder and cayenne until blended; cook and stir 5 minutes. Gradually whisk in broth. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Add rice. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 45-50 minutes or until rice is tender., Add chicken, spinach, apple, salt, pepper and thyme; cook, uncovered, 3-5 minutes or until heated through and spinach is wilted. Top each serving with sour cream.