Toasted Rice Recipes

Steps:

• Select a skillet in which the rice fits in a thin layer. Put the rice in the pan, place over medium-low heat, and toast the rice, shaking the pan occasionally. The grains will first turn opaque and then golden. When the rice starts to show color, monitor the skillet closely, shaking it more frequently so that each grain toasts evenly. The grains will give off a fragrant nuttiness and shrink a bit, and the small holes at the end of each grain will be dark and visible. In general, it takes about 15 minutes to toast rice properly. When the grains are golden and/or golden brown, they are ready. Remove from the heat and let cool.
• When the grains are cool enough to handle, grind the rice in 1-tablespoon batches in a clean, dry electric coffee grinder. Pulse each batch about 8 times to achieve the texture of fine cornmeal. Do not grind to a fine powder. Put the ground rice through a coarse-mesh sieve, return the bits that didn't go through the sieve to the grinder, and add the next batch of whole toasted grains. Repeat, passing each batch through the sieve and returning any bits to the grinder. At the end, there will be some bits that will have to be discarded. You can save time by preparing the ground toasted rice several hours in advance and keeping it at room temperature covered with plastic wrap.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees.
• In an 8-by-12-inch casserole dish, toss together tomatoes, garlic, shallots, cilantro stems, thyme, cinnamon sticks, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste. Pour oil over everything, then bake until vegetables are soft, about 1 hour. Remove from oven and increase oven temperature to 450.
• Without stirring anything, sprinkle rice evenly over vegetables. Top with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and plenty of black pepper.
• Carefully pour boiling water over rice, then cover dish tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes, until rice is cooked. Remove from oven and set aside for 10 minutes, still covered.
• Remove foil, gently stir in cilantro leaves, taste and add more salt if needed, and serve.

Steps:

• Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a pot over medium-high heat.
• Stir in 2 cups converted long-grain rice, 1 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring until the rice is golden, about 5 minutes.
• Add 2 cups each chicken broth and water, bring to a simmer, then cover and cook over low heat, 15 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and stir in chopped scallions and parsley.