Best White Rice With Basil And Corn From Casa Marcela Recipes

BUTTERY SEASONED RICE

Steps:

• Place all Rice ingredients in a large saucepan and give it a stir.
• Bring to simmer over medium high heat (edges bubbling, entire surface rippling), put the lid on and turn stove down to medium low (LOW for strong stoves). It should be simmering gently.
• Cook for 13 minutes - do not lift lid!
• Tilt pot then QUICKLY peek to ensure all water is absorbed.
• Remove from stove, stand 10 minutes with lid on.
• Add butter and fluff rice with a rubber spatula. Serve!
• Storage - please read Note 4.
• Rice cooker - Same ingredients, water and rice ratio. Pop it all in your rice cooker and cook per manufacturer directions, stir through butter at end.

CHILE AND CHEESE RICE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium-size heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, and saute for until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the rice and cook until the rice is opaque, about 10 minutes. Stir in the water and the corn kernels, then season the water with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender, about for 15 minutes.
• Preheat a broiler. Using a fork, fluff the rice and stir in the chopped poblanos. Transfer the rice to a 7 by 10-inch flameproof baking dish. Drizzle with the creama or sour cream and sprinkle the cheese over the top. Broil until the top is browned in spots and the cheese has melted, about 5 to 8 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and serve.
• *Cooks Note: To char the chiles (or any fresh chile): Put the chiles over a gas flame or underneath the broiler and cook until they are blackened on all sides. Enclose them in a plastic bag and let stand for 10 minutes to steam, which will make them easier to peel. Peel, stem, and seed the chiles. Once peeled, the chiles may be chopped, sliced or stuffed.

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.

WHITE RICE WITH BASIL AND CORN FROM CASA MARCELA

Steps:

• Combine the water, rice, and corn in a medium pot and bring to a boil. Add the butter and salt and swirl in the pan to combine and melt the butter. Decrease the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook until the rice is almost cooked through, about 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes to finish cooking. Fluff the rice with a fork, add the basil, and stir to combine. Serve immediately.
• Recipe courtesy of Casa Marcela by Marcela Valladolid. Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Casa-Marcela-Recipes-Stories-Californias/dp/054480855X.

FOOLPROOF MEXICAN RICE ("ARROZ MEXICANO")

Steps:

• Cut the tomatoes in half, and remove the seeds. Add the tomatoes and 2 cups of broth to a blender and puree. Strain into a bowl and reserve the liquid. Add enough extra broth to make 4 cups of liquid.
• In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and carrots and saute for 4 minutes until the onion is translucent. Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute. Stir in the rice and cook until slightly toasted, about 3 minutes. Add the tomato broth mixture, stir and bring to boil. Add the salt, bay leaf, and the serrano chile. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Remove the pan from heat. Scatter the peas over the top of the rice, cover, and let the rice stand 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork, transfer to a serving bowl and serve.

ROASTED TOMATILLO SALMON FROM CASA MARCELA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a bowl, toss the tomatillos and red onion with the olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Place on the prepared baking sheet and top with the salmon fillet. Season the salmon with salt and pepper and top with the lemon slices, chopped chives, and chopped cilantro. Roast for 20 minutes for rare. Transfer the salmon to a serving platter and return the tomatillo and onion mixture to the oven. Roast until caramelized, about 15 minutes.
• Serve the tomatillos alongside the salmon fillet and white rice.
• Recipe courtesy of Casa Marcela by Marcela Valladolid. Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Casa-Marcela-Recipes-Stories-Californias/dp/054480855X.

BASIL CORN & TOMATO BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a small skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender. In a large bowl, whisk eggs and condensed soup until blended. Stir in vegetables, bread crumbs, basil, salt and onion. Transfer mixture to an 11x7-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray., Bake, uncovered, 40-45 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. If desired, sprinkle with additional basil.

THAI-STYLE BASIL RICE

Steps:

• In a large, heavy saucepan, melt the butter and oil together over medium heat.
• Add the shallots and chopped basil and cook until shallots are slightly soft, about 5 minutes; add garlic and green onion and sauté another 2 to three minutes.
• Add the uncooked rice and stir to coat well; sauté for 3 minutes while stirring.
• Mix together the water and chicken bouillon and stir until dissolved; add bouillon liquid to rice in saucepan and bring to a boil.
• If using, stir in red pepper and coconut flakes.
• Cover saucepan, reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed and rice is to preferred texture.
• Fluff with fork, serve, and enjoy.
• Makes 4 servings.

BASIL GRILLED CORN ON THE COB

Steps:

• Place corn in a 6-qt. stockpot; cover with cold water. Soak 20 minutes; drain. Carefully peel back corn husks to within 1 in. of bottoms; remove silk. Brush butter over corn; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Press 4 basil leaves onto each cob. Rewrap corn in husks; secure with kitchen string., Grill corn, covered, over medium heat 20-25 minutes or until tender, turning often. Cut string and peel back husks; discard basil leaves. Squeeze lemon juice over corn; sprinkle with cilantro. If desired, spread with additional butter.