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Monday, April 30, 2012

Shoulda Coulda Woulda

I meant to post again last Thursday, I really did.  I had the same intent last Friday.

But the weekend?  Forget about it.  Shabbat dinner at a friend's, work, bridal shower, concert, preparing a large tea party that turned raucous and went on for four hours, followed by collapsing in exhaustion.

The reality is that David and I are going on vacation in two weeks, and I don't have enough hours in the day.  And let me tell you, mama needs a vacation.  I'm already dreaming about a cappuccino in a Roman piazza.  And some gelato.  Not to mention wine and pasta.

I can't believe it's been a week since I posted the Thomas Keller "easy" seared scallop recipe, which I served with a vividly colored, lemony, spicy rice.  The rice was the perfect accompaniment, and had the virtues of being both easy and fully flavored.  I happily ate rice leftovers for days.  The one thing I didn't get to do was make it into fried rice with some shrimp, which would have been delicious.

A note about this recipe:  I was not trying to make enough rice for a family of giants, which is about how much it actually made.  You could easily scale it back to half a batch and have enough for four side servings.

It does make brilliant leftovers, though.  I might have scowled a little when I realized David had eaten the last of it.

Lemony Spiced Rice
Adapted from Bon Appetit Magazine,
April 2012

2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp. yellow mustard seeds
1 1/2 tsp. ground turmeric
1 small yellow onion, coarsely chopped
2 garlic cloves, slivered
1 small poblano, seeded and sliced into thin rings
2 cups jasmine rice
4 large strips lemon peel, yellow part only
Juice of one large lemon
2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 cup unsalted roasted cashews, chopped

In a large (and I do mean large!) heavy saucepan over medium heat, heat the oil just until shimmering and immediately add the mustard seeds and turmeric.  Stir until the mustard seeds start to pop and quickly add the onion, garlic and chile before the seeds start to pop out of the pan--not that that happened to me, noooo.

Stir the veggies occasionally until the onion is softened, about seven minutes.  Then add the rice, stirring it into the veggies until it is coated with the oil. 

Add the lemon peel and salt, along with three cups of water.  Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pan.  Cook for about 25 minutes and then check the rice for doneness.

Remove the pan from the heat, add the lemon juice and stir it in.  Cover the pan again and let it stand, then fluff the rice and remove the lemon peel.  Just before serving, stir in the cashews.

Makes 8 good size side dish servings.


41 comments:

  1. This Rice sound very tatsy with those ingredients and with lemon even Yum even better :)
    Ridwan

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  2. We are big fans of rice in my family. As for me, I like to change it up from the usual white rice! This sounds delicious and like something we'll have to make with dinner...tonight.

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    1. Dionne, if you try it, let me know what you think!

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  3. This looks so bright and beautiful! How perfect for spring. I really do need some new ways to jazz up rice.

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  4. I am sure you are aware that we simply love rice and more rice. So with this sharing and if you have any more, I will surely drool all the way. Fabulous recipe and I must try as eating plain rice can get boring and we do need a change from time to time.

    Having been to Italy before, I may not have enjoyed the food but sure the sightseeing is fantastic.

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    1. What I loved was how simple this was, and how much flavor it has. It's lightly citrusy, and it really is spicy.

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  5. Yes you can sometimes catch me eating a rice side dish for a meal. Seasoned rice can't be beat. This recipe does look tasty and I like that it has cashews in it, I will need to try this version.
    Hope you make through the next two weeks, you seem too busy to turn around with all of those things on your plate!

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    1. I am, but it will be worth it to go on vacation. This rice is definitely main course-worthy, with maybe just a veggie side!

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  6. A tea party that turned raucous? Really? Can I come to your next tea party?? I can only imagine how delicious this rice was and jasmine is my favorite. Yum!

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    1. If you ever find yourself in Anchorage, definitely!

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  7. Wow your certainly were a busy girl. I love this rice and your are right it would go well with the spicy seitan. Saving this recipe and looking forward to those jumping mustard seeds, LOL.

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  8. Glad I found out how you made the rice, it looked so good on your previous post. Amazing you had time to fit it in!

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  9. Have fun on your vacation my friend :D
    I understand how busy you must be but thanks for posting such a delicious recipe up for everyone :)

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  10. A new rice recipe for me! I celebrate it. And it looks wonderfully festive. I know how you feel about needing a vacation... "leisure scientists" (whatever they are) say that vacations are necessary for human health!

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  11. The lemony rice looks vibrant and yummy!

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  12. i sometime season my leftover rice like you have cooked.
    Enjoy your Vacation!

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  13. That rice is calling my name... it looks perfect. :)

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  14. it is crazy how fast time can get away from you eh and you look back and see how long it has been since your last post. LOL I gotta say, I am a tad envious of your vacation coming up!!

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  15. I love all things lemony. This rice looks fab!

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  16. Oh one could never make too much rice!!! Especially this fabulous lemony version! I take my hat off to you. As busy as you are...it's amazing you post as consistently as you do! You've got me counting down the days to your vacation and it sounds like it's going to be fabulous!!! : )

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  17. Are you going on vacation to Italy!?! (And did I know this?) So, so jealous! Drink a cappuccino for me, friend :) PS: I love this rice! I don't do enough with lemon flavor and this is a definite reminder. It looks fantastic!

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    1. I haven't mentioned much about the vacation because it felt like it would never come--and I still have mounds of work to do before I go!

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  18. love lemon rice and the color is just perfect - so vibrant.

    You know that period of window, when you know you will be on vacation soon. Oh the anticipation, the excitement and the build up - its just so much fun!

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  19. It sounds like the rice that keeps on giving - terrific flavours! Have a fantastic holiday and bring back some wonderful roman recipes!

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  20. The lemony spiced rice looks delicious, awesome colors! Have a great Roman Holiday!

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  21. I hear you1 I'd love a vacation too, but it's going to have to wait another month till the BlogHer conference in Seattle. Can't wait to hear all about your trip!

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    1. Oh, I really wanted to go to that conference--it just follows my vacation too closely. Looking forward to hearing about it!

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  22. Oh, this is the sort of dish I would ADORE

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  23. I am soooo jealous that you are going to Italy. My husband and I were just talking the other night about our awesome trip to Italy a couple of years ago. It was the best vacation of our lives. Make sure to eat a gelato (or two!) every single day, and of course drink lots of wine. Have a blast!
    The rice looks delicious. I love the presentation and the color is just gorgeous!

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  24. Such a flavorful rice recipe. Looks so good.

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  25. I LOVE rice. Who cares if it's enough to last me through the year. :) And I'm jealous you're going to Italy. REALLY JEALOUS. Need anybody to carry your suitcase? LOL

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  26. Sounds like you have a wonderful trip coming up. Promise me you'll write about it when you come back?

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  27. You're going to Rome??? Can you see me turning green???? This rice looks fabulous...and just a few simple ingredients turn ordinary rice into something amazing~

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  28. Rome is on my list of places I want to see!I can imagine all the excitement building up inside of you :)This rice is so vibrant and flavorful!My kind of comfort food for sure :)I also love the roasted Cauliflower with it!Hmm yumm...

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  29. haha! I am the QUEEN of shoulda woulda coulda! :D And you, my friend, are the queen of cauliflower with this dish!

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  30. If I was going to Rome I wouldn't have the mind to cook or blog. I am trying to make this trip 4 years now and take into consideration that Rome is only a two hour flight from Athens. Can you believe it? Anyway the rice looks packed with flavors and I wouldn't mind have it as a main dish instead of side.

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  31. I always get cranky when I find the leftovers have been poached. And CK is the worst! He'll even leave the empty tupperwear in the fridge so I get all excited when I see it and when I grab it its empty!!! Worst feeling ever.

    This rice dish looks fabulous though! Nice run-up recipe to a well deserved vacation :)

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  32. I LOVE this rice dish! I wonder how it would be with preserved lemons. I have a jar in the fridge so I might just have to try it! Love the use of the turmeric!

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