Round 2 Recipe Rice Cakes With Creamy Cilantro Sauce

CUBAN CHICKEN AND RICE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large, heavy bottom pot over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, add to the pot, and brown in batches on both sides, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken to a plate. To the pot, add half the onions and half the green peppers (reserve remaining half for another use, such as Round 2 Recipe Black Bean and Pork Stew). Cook until softened, about 3 minutes, and then add the garlic and chile powder and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the rice and let it toast for 2 minutes. Add 4 cups water, tomato sauce, and olives and give it a stir. Put the chicken back into the pot. Bring it to a boil, lower the heat, cover, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender, 30 to 35 minutes. (Reserve 2 cups rice for another use, such as Round 2 Recipe Rice Cakes with Creamy Cilantro Sauce.) Serve garnished with cilantro.

ROUND 2 RECIPE - BAKED FALAFEL WITH YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place a baking sheet in to the oven.
• Combine all falafel ingredients, including the Chickpea Salad, in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse mixture until coarsely ground.
• Using your hands, form the falafel mixture into balls about the size of walnuts and set aside. If the falafel mixture sticks to your hands dip them in cold water in between rolling each ball.
• Remove the baking sheet from the oven and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Place the falafel onto the sheet pan and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, turning halfway through the cooking, to brown on both sides.
• Place on a serving platter and serve with yogurt sauce on the side.
• Add all the sauce ingredients to a small bowl and combine well.
• Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and toss to combine.

ROUND 2 RECIPE: CAJUN DIRTY RICE

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the red pepper flakes, and let it infuse in the oil for 15 to 20 seconds. Add the leftover white rice, flaked catfish fillet, sauteed vegetables, Cajun seasoning, and the kidney beans. Stir to combine and cook until the mixture is heated through, about 3 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if desired.
• Transfer to a serving platter and serve.
• In a large pot, bring 5 1/4 cups of water to a boil over medium heat. Add the rice, turn the heat down to low and simmer until rice has absorbed all the water and is light and fluffy, about 15 to 20 minutes. Reserve 3 cups of cooked rice for round 2 recipe: Cajun Dirty Rice. Transfer the rice to a serving bowl and set aside.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of canola oil. Add the celery, green pepper, onion, garlic, and season with salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Saute until slightly tender about 5 minutes. Add the fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley and cook for another minute. Reserve 1 cup of the sauteed vegetables for round 2 recipe: Cajun Dirty Rice. Transfer the vegetables to a serving bowl and set aside.
• While the vegetables are sauteing, heat a cast iron skillet or griddle over high heat. Brush the catfish with the remaining canola oil and then sprinkle both sides with Cajun seasoning. Place the catfish onto into the hot pan and cook, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
• Arrange the catfish on a serving platter and serve with rice and sauteed vegetables.

CRAB CAKES WITH CILANTRO-SOUR CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Put eggs, lemon juice, mayonnaise, bell pepper, onion, cilantro, salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper in a mixing bowl and mix well. Gently fold in crabmeat and 1/2 of the bread crumbs.
• Form crabmeat mixture into 8 patties. Coat both sides in remaining bread crumbs. Place patties on waxed paper and freeze for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Prepare the sauce: Mix sour cream, mayonnaise, bell pepper, garlic, lemon juice, cilantro, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl. Season with salt and black pepper.
• Heat 1/2 of the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Carefully add patties to hot oil in batches. Fry until golden, about 30 seconds on each side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with remaining patties, adding remaining oil as needed.
• Transfer patties to a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a patty should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
• Serve patties with sauce.

10-MINUTE RICE CAKES

Steps:

• Mix rice, egg, basil, milk, salt, and pepper together in a bowl.
• Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Pour rice mixture into the skillet in 2 equal portions. Cook until browned on the bottom, about 3 minutes. Flip and continue cooking until second side is browned, about 2 minutes more.