Valeries Rice Dish Recipes

ALMOND CRANBERRY RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the almonds and cook, stirring constantly, until golden and nutty smelling, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and reserve.
• Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in the saucepan and add the onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the rice and cranberries and cook, stirring, until well coated, about 1 minute. Add the chicken broth, 1 1/2 cups water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste, and increase the heat to medium-high. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook until all the liquid has been absorbed, about 18 minutes. Take off the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Stir in half of the reserved almonds and the parsley, and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with the remaining toasted almonds.

LIME CILANTRO RICE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepot over medium-high heat. Add the rice and toast until lightly golden, about 1 minute. Add the stock, lime peel, salt and 1 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil. Cover the rice, reduce the heat to low and simmer until all of the liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Let the rice stand, covered, about 5 minutes, then stir in the lime zest, juice and cilantro. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with more cilantro leaves and green onion.

RANCH CHICKEN AND RICE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Drizzle the chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle all over with salt and pepper.
• Put the chicken on the lined sheet pan skin-side up and roast until an instant-read thermometer reads 165 degrees F, 25 to 30 minutes.
• In the meantime, turn the heat to medium-low on a braiser or high-sided skillet with a lid. Add the olive oil and onion and cook, stirring, until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and let cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds to a minute. Add the rice, ranch seasoning and turmeric and stir to coat. Add the chicken broth and 2 cups of water. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a brisk simmer. Simmer 2 minutes, then add the cream cheese, lemon juice and one scallion. Stir to incorporate.
• Cover the pot and let cook until the rice is tender, 8 to 12 minutes. Remove from the heat, then uncover; fluff the rice, then stir in the peas and carrots. Replace the lid to keep warm until the chicken is done (the residual heat will gently cook the peas and carrots). Remove the chicken from the oven and arrange the chicken on top of the rice skin-side-up.
• Sprinkle with the crushed chips and the remaining scallions and serve.