Forget about Masterchef (enter your country here) for a moment.
Just steam/boil some regular white rice. As Indians, we lay claim to the finest, long grained, most aromatic Basmati variety – which I know is available most everywhere. But you could also substitute a local variety, or even brown rice. For boiling, the ratio of rice:water is 1:2 as a rule of thumb.
Add some star anise to the rice water – it’s aromatic and imparts a lovely touch of flavour.
Keep some butter handy. As much (not little) as you’d like.
Also some Creole seasoning – my favourite brand is the American Zatarain’s. It’s got a nice, salty-spicy kick and is a lovely almost-scarlet in colour.
Some sliced black olives. Some pickled-in-vinegar whole green peppercorns.
And some chopped parsley.
When the rice is done, drain the water through a colander and remove the star anise. Add a couple of chunks of butter of the rice while it’s still hot, so that the butter melts. Sprinkle the Creole seasoning generously and mix well. Add the peppercorns and the olives. Garnish with the chopped parsley.
An easy-peasy (sorry, couldn’t resist) and quick optional addition is boiled green peas.
It doesn’t have an overpowering taste like a ‘biryani’ (which has loads of Indian masala, besides meat and/or veggies) or even a ‘pilaf’ (it’s ‘pulao’ to us Indians!). But yet has a subtle flavour with a sudden tart, acidic bite of the peppercorns. And goes really nicely with Thai green curry (which the dear wife makes pretty well) or gravied chicken in a brown sauce, I assure you.
Next up, red rice.
Now red rice has fatter, unpolished grains, so it needs a little more of the steaming/boiling. Drain and set aside.
In the meantime, shallow fry some chopped red & yellow bell peppers (capsicums) in a pan in olive oil.
Also, finely chopped, fresh ginger till it caramelizes. This gives the dish a sweet, sharp zing.
Add the ginger to some Virginia brand Vidalia onion vinegarette (that’s how it’s spelt on the bottle!) in a bowl, with a healthy dash of red chili flakes to counterbalance the inherent slight sweetness of the sauce. The sauce is actually a dressing for salads, but it works here, I can tell you.
When the rice is done, pour this mixture into the rice for a moist, liquidy feel. And then the red and yellow pepper bits.
And you’re good to go. This, since it’s slightly on the sweet side, goes well with a spicy, grilled chicken.
They’re both rice, but distinctly different in taste, yet equally versatile in their pairing with a protein mains.
Any takers?
A cooking poet! I never knew 😉
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Lol! Thanks! 😀
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Didnt know you were into culinary delights too. What a delicious surprise. Must try!
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Food for the stomach as much as food for the soul…. There are a couple of others also, if you’re interested. Thanks, N!
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Bring it on, K! 🙂
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I’ve written on prawns, pasta, fish and a salad earlier. Dekh lo if you wanna
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Link bhejo
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Will in a while. Thru messenger. 😊
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Nice! I think I’d like the first one best – you sound like you have appetite for both 😀
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I do! With chicken or fish, or curry. Thanks, Chev! All well? How did the Monday deadline go?
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Anything with curry for me is fine. You remembered – I’m impressed. Thankfully, I’m done. Today’s a warm Winter’s day for lazying around. Maybe I’ll go shopping for some of those ingredients:-)
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How lucky! Winter, as we swelter in 37C! But not for long, am off on my vacay this weekend! Yay!
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Good for you – I’ll miss seeing you around but I’m sure you need it by now – I don’t recall you taking a break. I’m jealous – would so like to travel and tick off the bucket list but will just have to practice patience. Hope you have a great time!
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Thanks, I intend to! Got lots of posts lined up on here, being put up in absentia! 🙂
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OK, so we’ll be able to follow your ghost ha!ha!
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Hahahahahahah!
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Yeah – I’m due for a spiritual experience😉
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Wah wah!
Beside poetry, good cooking can also be praised like this, you know 😀
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Haha, thanks, Hammad! It’s a stress buster for me, the occasional trip to the kitchen! Also, yahaan ka advantage hai ke cutting/chopping aur cleaning hum khud nahi karte! 🙂
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Right 🙂
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Now imagine my delight – I came here looking for a kutta and here ice got me some lunch. Pleasantly surprised to see this side of you. You didn’t seem like someone to do rice two ways. This is something I am definitely going to try. 🙂
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LOL! Thanks!
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Well I didn’t think I was hungry until I read this post. Here is one of the VERY FEW recipes I’ve posted on my blog (that is my own I mean) ~~ dru ~~
https://saywhatumean2say.com/2012/08/27/because-ive-been-inspired/
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Going to yours….. Thanks, Dru!
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t sounds good!
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They both are, mon ami! 😊
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I am hungry enough to follow your blog! 😀
Found your blog through the “Opinionated Man” blog when he had his meet-and-greet for bloggers today. 🙂 Hope I ill find a lot fo good stuff through your blog!
Kind regards/ SurvivedNarc (A nlog about healing from narcissistic abuse).
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Hahaha, thanks! And welcome!
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Reblogged this on random rants ruminations ramblings.
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