Best Figs And Rice Recipes

WILD RICE SALAD WITH FIGS - RUTHERFORD GRILL, NAPA VALLEY

Steps:

• Combine 4 cups water and salt in medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Add rice. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until rice is tender, about 45 minutes. Drain well. Cool.
• Transfer rice to large bowl. Mix in figs, pecans, cashews, green onions, celery and red onion. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.).
• Mix vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, mustard and sugar in blender. With blender running, gradually mix in both oils.
• Pour dressing over rice mixture and toss. Season salad with salt and pepper.

RICE WITH DATES (ARABIAN PENINSULA)

Steps:

• Place the rice in a heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water. Let stand 30 minutes to 1 hour then drain in a fine mesh strainer.
• Place the drained rice in a pot with *2 cups* of water and bring to the boil then cover and simmer on low for 10 minutes.
• In the meantime, melt 3 tablespoons butter in a small pan and cook the almonds until starting to brown, stirring often.
• Stir in the dates, raisins, ground cinnamon or cinnamon stick and cloves.
• Turn heat down to low and cook covered for 15 minutes or until the mixture is soft and gooey, stirring often. (Do not overcook or let dry out.).
• After the rice has cooked 10 minutes, remove the pot from the burner without taking off the lid and let stand for 15 minutes.
• Drain the rice in a strainer under warm water and then place half of the rice back in the pot, flattening and spreading it around evenly.
• Dot the first layer of rice with 1 tablespoon of butter.
• Now arrange the cooked almond-date mixture over the rice, spreading it around and flattening with a spatula. Spoon the rest of the rice on top, again spreading it around and flattening the top then dot with 1 tablespoons of butter.
• Invert a heatproof plate on top of the rice or as I did-fold up a tea towel and place it on top of the pot. Cover the pot with the lid and cook on very low heat for 15 minutes.
• After 15 minutes of cooking, remove the pot (but keep the lid on the pot!) to another burner and set aside for another 15 minutes.
• Invert the pot of rice onto a serving platter.
• Serve hot.

SPICED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH DRIED FIGS

Steps:

• Combine the rice, cinnamon stick, 1 bay leaf, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 1/2 cups water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and stir. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 17 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside, covered.
• Meanwhile, season the chicken with salt and the paprika. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the vegetable oil and heat until shimmering. Add the chicken and cook, undisturbed, until well browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip and cook until browned on the other side, 3 to 5 more minutes. Remove to a plate.
• Add the shallot to the skillet; cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Stir in the figs, then add the vinegar and remaining 2 bay leaves. Cook, scraping up any browned bits, until the liquid is mostly reduced, 1 minute. Return the chicken to the skillet along with any juices from the plate; add the broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the liquid is reduced but still saucy, 10 to 12 minutes; season with salt.
• Fluff the rice, discarding the cinnamon stick and bay leaf, and divide among plates. Top with the chicken, figs and sauce and sprinkle with the parsley.

BASMATI RICE WITH FIGS, MUSTARD SEEDS AND GINGER

Steps:

• Melt butter in a heavy-bottom saucepan over medium heat. Add mustard seeds, onion, ginger, and jalapeno. Cook until onion softens, about 4 to 5 minutes.
• Add rice and stir. Add salt, figs, and 3-1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low. Cover and cook 10 minutes. Turn off the heat, keep covered, and allow to steam another 10 minutes.