Brown Rice With Andouille Corn And Red Peppers Recipes

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.

BROWN RICE WITH ANDOUILLE, CORN, AND RED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to middle position; heat oven to 375 degrees. Cook sausage in Dutch oven over medium heat until lightly browned, 4 to 6 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer sausage to paper towel-lined plate; set aside. Add onion and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until well-browned, 12 to 14 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add chicken broth and water; cover and bring to boil. Remove pan from heat, stir in rice and salt. Cover pot with lid and bake rice until tender, 65 to 70 minutes.
• Remove pan from oven; uncover and discard foil. Fluff rice with dinner fork, stir in corn and reserved sausage, then replace lid. Let rice stand 5 minutes. Stir in basil and black pepper; serve, passing lemon wedges separately.

ANDOUILLE-RICE HAND PIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Heat the rice as the label directs. Combine in a large bowl with the scallion whites, tomato, andouille and cheese. Season with salt and pepper and mix well.
• Separate the biscuit dough into 8 equal pieces. Dust with flour and flatten each into a 6-inch round with a rolling pin; brush off any excess flour. Add about 1/3 cup of the rice mixture to the center of each, then fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges together to seal. Cut three slits in the top of each pie with a knife. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet and brush with the beaten egg. Bake until the dough is puffed and golden and the filling is hot, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, halve the cucumber lengthwise, then thinly slice crosswise. Combine the cucumber, sugar and a few pinches of salt in a large bowl. Rub the seasonings into the cucumber slices, then let stand 5 minutes. Add the vinegar, scallion greens and parsley and toss to combine. Serve with the hand pies.

BROWN RICE BOWLS WITH STEWED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Cut tops off peppers, then cut lengthwise into sections along creases. Remove seeds and membranes. Slice sections crosswise.
• Heat oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat and add onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add sweet peppers and, if using, chiles. Cook, stirring often, until peppers have softened slightly, about 5 minutes. Add salt to taste and continue to cook for another 5 minutes, until peppers are tender.
• Add tomatoes, sugar, basil sprig and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring from time to time, until tomatoes have softened and cooked down, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Cover skillet, reduce heat and simmer for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture is thick and fragrant. Stir in slivered basil. Taste and adjust seasonings. Keep warm.
• Make Parmesan crisps: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 1 or 2 baking sheets with silicon mats or parchment. Spoon heaped tablespoons (about 1/2 ounce) grated Parmesan onto silicon mat or parchment, then use a spoon to flatten rounds until they are about 4 to 4 1/2 inches in diameter and very thin. They should be about 2 inches apart. Bake 9 to 10 minutes, switching pans front to back, until the cheese is brown and lacy. Remove from heat and allow the rounds to cool. Once cooled, they should be crisp all the way through.
• Spoon rice into bowls. Top with peppers. Garnish with torn leaves of fresh basil and a Parmesan crisp.

EASY SPICED BROWN RICE WITH CORN

Steps:

• In a saucepan, mix the water, rice, olive oil, and salt, and bring to a boil. Mix in the corn, cilantro, and cumin. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 45 to 60 minutes, until the liquid has been absorbed.

RICE WITH PEPPERS AND CORN

Steps:

• Heat butter in a saucepan and add onion, sweet pepper and saffron.
• Add rice, salt, pepper and broth and bring to boil. Cover and cook 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cut and scrape kernels from ear of corn. There should be about 3/4 cup. Stir corn into the rice mixture and cover. Cook about 2 minutes longer and serve

FRIED CORN WITH SMOKED SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and smoked sausage in the butter until hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the corn and reduce heat to medium; cover and cook until the corn is tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Season with seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, monosodium glutamate, and pepper; toss to combine. Serve hot.