Pesto Risotto

The creamy artichoke pesto in this recipe is just the last touch for a delicious veggie risotto.

Ingredients
(for two servings)

2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 onion, diced
1 carrot, diced
1/2 cup small broccoli pieces
1/2 cup small cauliflower pieces
1/4 cup bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup frozen peas, defrosted
1 cup vegetable broth
1 1/4 cups water
3/4 cup Arborio rice
1/4 cup white wine
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons artichoke pesto
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup feta cheese
lime wedges

Heat about a tablespoon of olive oil and fry half of the onions until transparent yellow. Add the diced carrot and fry for a few minutes until tender (but not soggy). Add the broccoli, cauliflower, and bell pepper, frying until tender yet still a little crisp. Remove from pan and set aside.

Warm the broth and water over low heat in a separate saucepan.

Heat another tablespoon of olive oil, fry the rest of the onions as before, and add the rice, stirring together. Turn heat to medium-low. Add the white wine and stir it in. Add a 1/2 cup of the warmed broth mixture, then cover the rice and allow it to absorb the broth. Once it is absorbed (a couple minutes later) add another 1/2 cup, and so on until all of the broth is added.

Once the rice is tender and chewy, remove from heat and stir in the fried vegetables, peas, parmesan cheese, artichoke pesto, salt, and pepper. Serve into dishes and top with feta cheese and a sprinkle of lime.

Rica Horchata

A sweet and refreshing Mexican drink--prepare it in the morning and enjoy it as a cool afternoon treat!

 

Ingredients

1 cup white rice

5 cups water

½ cup milk

½ cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Blend the rice and water in a blender for about a minute.  Let sit for at least three hours.

Strain the liquid into a pitcher with a coffee filter or other straining device.  Put the liquid back into the blender and mix in all the other ingredients.  (You can use the soaked rice to make rice pudding if you like.)

Refrigerate and enjoy!

East Indian Style Rice

This is a great way to spice up rice with a unique flavor combination!

Ingredients

4 cups cooked white or basmati rice (about 2 cups uncooked)
¼ cup butter
½ cup thinly sliced onion
¼ cup chopped pistachios or almonds
½ cup raisins
1 egg
shredded coconut to taste

Cook the rice in a rice cooker or large pan.  Hard-boil the egg and allow it to cool.

Heat the butter over medium-low heat and use it to cook the onion slices.  Add the nuts and raisins and heat them until the raisins are soft, plump, and delicious.

Add the pan mixture to the rice and mix well.  Place in a serving dish and sprinkle with crumbled egg yolk.  (You can use the egg whites in another part of the meal or just eat it on its own.)  Top with shredded coconut.

Veggie Fried Rice

My idea of fast food is homemade fried rice, made with leftover steamed rice and whatever veggies are lying around.  This recipe’s really flexible, but here’s a basic way to throw together an easy, yummy, and healthy meal.

 

Ingredients

3 eggs

4 tablespoons oil
5 cups steamed white rice (measured already cooked)
1 cup fresh or frozen carrots and peas

½ cup frozen or canned corn

Kikkoman* soy sauce to taste

Salt to taste

(optional: dash of sugar)

¼ cup chopped green onions

*I don't usually promote particular brands, but there are lots of soy sauces out there, and some of them are just awful. Use Kikkoman.

Heat up a small dab of oil in a frying pan at medium heat and scramble the eggs.  Add the rest of the oil and put the rice in.  (If the rice is leftover and clumped together, be sure to break it apart with your hands before frying, and add a little water if it’s dry.)

If your veggies are frozen, defrost them by putting them in a bowl and running warm water over them a few times.  Add the carrots, peas, and corn to the frying pan.  Drizzle soy sauce over it until it’s light tannish-brown.  Sprinkle salt on it and mix well.  If you want a little sweet kick, sprinkle a bit of sugar over it too.  Taste it and add more salt, soy sauce, and/or oil as needed.  Also sprinkle a bit more water over it if it seems dry.

Add the green onions and mix it up well.  Enjoy!