Best Brown Rice With Asparagus Peas And Toasted Almonds Recipes

SPRING PEA AND ASPARAGUS RISOTTO

Steps:

• Make sure your oven rack is in the middle position and place another rack in the lower third of the oven. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and turning translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook until the garlic is fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add 4 cups broth (or 3 cups broth and 1 cup water), cover, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and stir in the rice. Cover the pot and bake for 55 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare the asparagus by snapping off the tough ends and discarding them, then slicing the spears diagonally into 1 1/2-inch long pieces. On a large, rimmed baking sheet, toss the asparagus with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Set aside for now.
• Once the risotto has been in the oven for 55 minutes, transfer the asparagus to the lower rack of the oven. Carefully remove the pot from the oven and take off the lid. Quickly dump the peas inside, cover the pot again and return it to the oven for another 10 minutes. (This will give the peas time to steam.)
• Remove the pot from the oven, but leave the asparagus in for another 5 to 10 minutes, until tender and roasted to your liking. Remove the lid and pour in the remaining cup of broth, the Parmesan, wine, butter, salt, a generous amount of pepper, a pinch of red pepper flakes and the zest and juice of half your lemon.
• Using a big spoon, stir vigorously for 2 to 3 minutes, until the rice is thick and creamy. Stir in the roasted asparagus. Season to taste with salt and pepper, divide into bowls and top with a generous sprinkling of chopped fresh parsley.

SUPER-QUICK BROWN RICE WITH ASPARAGUS, CHICKPEAS, AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Pop Trader Joe's frozen brown rice in the microwave, or make a batch of rice the traditional way.
• While rice is cooking, make the dressing by whisking together half of the chopped garlic, tahini, lemon zest, lemon juice, and 3 tbs. olive oil.
• Add the hot water to thin a bit, and then 2 teaspoons salt. Set aside.
• Add 3 tbs. olive oil to a big skillet over medium-high heat, swirling to coat the pan.
• Be sure the chickpeas are completely dry, or they'll spit at you during this next step!
• Add the chickpeas and a sprinkling of salt. Let the beans saute for a couple minutes, until they get a toasty little crust on them.
• Add remaining garlic and onions. Stir for a minute.
• Stir in the asparagus with another pinch or two of salt, then cover with a lid for a minute to steam until the asparagus softens a touch.
• Uncover and stir in the rice and almond slivers, reserving a few almonds for garnish.
• Adjust seasonings, adding more salt if needed.
• Serve family-style in a big bowl drizzled with a few tablespoons of the tahini dressing, letting each person add more dressing to their tastes.
• Watch as this magical concoction disappears before your eyes!

BROWN RICE WITH FENNEL AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy two- to three-quart saucepan. Add fennel, onion and garlic and cook very slowly until vegetables are tender and translucent. Stir in rice and cook, stirring, another two to three minutes.
• Add the stock or water, bring to a boil and cook uncovered for three minutes. Lower the heat, season the stock to taste with salt and pepper. Simmer covered about 40 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed.
• Gently stir in the asparagus, cover the saucepan and set aside for 15 minutes before serving. Serve with a dusting of Parmesan cheese on top.

RICE PILAF WITH PISTACHIOS AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Place rice in a bowl in the sink and rinse several times with water, or soak for 30 minutes to an hour. Drain.
• Heat water or stock to a bare simmer in a saucepan or in microwave.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil, butter or ghee in a wide, heavy skillet or saucepan over medium heat and add onion and salt to taste. Cook, stirring, until the onion begins to soften, about 3 minutes, and add rice. Cook, stirring, until the grains of rice are separate, dry and beginning to crackle. Add hot water or stock, rose water and salt to taste and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 15 minutes, until all of the liquid has been absorbed.
• Uncover rice and place a clean towel over the top of the pan (it should not be touching the rice). Replace lid and allow to sit for 10 minutes, undisturbed.
• Meanwhile, heat remaining tablespoon of oil, butter or ghee over medium heat in a medium frying pan or saucepan and add the nuts. Cook, stirring, until lightly toasted, and add spices and barberries or dried apricots. Continue to cook for another minute, until the spices smell fragrant, and remove from the heat. Immediately scrape over the rice.
• Pile the pilaf onto a platter or into a wide bowl and toss to incorporate the nut and spice mixture. Serve.