Food Network Chef Alex Guarnaschelli
I know you know Alex Guarnaschelli. This busy mom is the host of Food Network’s The Cooking Loft and has appeared as a judge on Chopped. She’s also Executive Chef of a restaurant called Butter in New York.
Today Alex cooks with rice—showing us how to use this one everyday, inexpensive staple in three extraordinary recipes.
By Alex Guarnaschelli
I like to take one elegant ingredient and use in many different ways. One of my favorites is Long Grain Rice [see below for information]. It has a slightly floral taste and a firm texture that works well in a lot of different and simple dishes. These are also recipes that work well with leftover rice! Here are a few of my favorites:
Basmati Rice Pilaf
Serves 2-4
This is one of my “go to” basic recipes. When it comes out of the oven, I serve it as a side dish or simply stir in some cooked chicken or shrimp and some vegetables to transform it into a complete meal.
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 small onion, peeled and chopped into small pieces
kosher salt
finely ground white pepper
1 cup Basmati rice
2 cups water
Beef Stir Fry
Serves 4
Sometimes I make a double recipe of the rice pilaf and use the remainder to make this stir fry. This is a great recipe for leftover rice and that remaining onion or any other vegetables that may be way at the bottom of one of your “crisper” drawers.
4 tablespoons Canola oil
11/2 pounds beef sirloin or beef tips, trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 red onion, peeled, halved and cut into thin slices
1 bunch scallions, washed, trimmed and cut into thin rounds (green and white parts both)
¼ cup marsala
1 tablespoon Soy sauce
1 tablespoon smooth (Dijon) mustard
the juice from 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
Basmati Rice Pudding
I find this so comforting or breakfast or dessert. I have made it with leftover cooked rice that I would have otherwise thrown away with great results.
1 cup cooked rice
1 cup whole milk
¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
1 cup coconut milk
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon honey (optional)
++Long grain rice, or specifically Basmati Rice, is usually available in both white and brown varieties and can be found in most supermarkets. If you don’t have long grain rice, regular rice will work, too.
