Parmesan Lemon Brown Rice

Parmesan Lemon Brown Rice - food.com

1 1/2 cups brown rice

1 tbs garlic

1 tbs olive oil

2 1/2 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup minced parsley

1/8 cup basil

1/2 tsp lemon juice

1/4 tsp black pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Spread rice into an 8" x 8" baking dish.  In a small pan, cook garlic for 1 minute in olive oil over medium heat.  Stir in chicken broth and bring to a boil.  Pour immediately over rice.  

Cover baking dish tightly with foil.  Bake for 1 hour, or until rice is tender.  Remove from oven, uncover, and fluff rice with fork.  Stir in cheese, parsley, basil, lemon juice, and pepper.  Cover with a towel and let sit for 5 minutes.  Uncover and serve.

Homemade Rice-a-roni

Homemade Rice-a-roni

1/2 cup pasta, broken into small pieces

1 cup brown rice

2 cups beef broth

1 tbs parsley

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp thyme

1/2 tsp pepper

1/3 cup margarine or butter

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Spray a small baking dish with cooking spray.  Add all ingredients; mix well and cover tightly with foil.  Bake for 1 hour.  Remove from oven and fluff with fork.

Sweet and Sour Pork Fried Rice

There is nothing remotely authentic about this fried rice, but we love it!

Sweet and Sour Pork Fried Rice

4 boneless pork chops, thinly cut

2 tsp olive oil

1/2 cup ketchup

2 tbs soy sauce

1 tsp honey

1 tbs brown sugar

1 tsp vinegar

1 1/2 cups brown rice, cooked and refrigerated

sesame oil

3/4 cup carrots, diced

1 egg

soy sauce

Brown pork chops in olive oil over medium heat for 4 -5 minutes per side.  In a small bowl, combine ketchup, soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, and vinegar.  Brush both sides of each pork chop; cook for 5 - 8 minutes longer, flipping once. Remove from pan and dice.

Whisk egg with 1/2 tsp soy sauce.   Cook in a skillet or wok over medium heat until set.  Flip and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from pan and chop.  Add a few tablespoons of sesame oil to pan.  Saute carrots for 4 - 5 minutes.  

Add rice to pan.  Fry over medium heat for 4 - 5 minutes.  Stir in soy sauce to taste (about 1/3 cup).  Add pork chops to rice.

Simple Spanish Rice

Simple Spanish Rice - adapted from the dish on delish

1 tbs olive oil

1 tbs garlic, minced

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup salsa

1 cup brown rice

cilantro to taste

In a pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.  Add garlic and cook for one minute.  Add chicken broth and salsa. Bring to a boil.  Stir in rice.  Turn heat to low; cover and cook for 40 - 50 minutes. Top with cilantro if desired.

Garlic Brown Rice Pilaf

Garlic Brown Rice Pilaf - adapted from Annie's Eats

2 tbs margarine

2 tbs minced garlic

1 cup uncooked brown rice

2 1/2 cups beef broth, divided

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 tsp lemon juice

Preheat the oven to 375° F.  Spray a 9" x 9" casserole dish with nonstick spray.  In a pan, melt the butter over medium-high heat.  Add the garlic and rice to the pan and cook until both are golden brown, about 3-4 minutes.  Stir in 1 cup of beef broth, salt and pepper and bring to a boil.  Pour the mixture into the casserole dish, cover with foil, and bake for 25 minutes.  Stir in the remaining 1½ cups beef broth and bake, covered, for another 55 minutes.  About 15 minutes before it is finished baking, stir in a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Stir.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

This is loosely based on the Cheesy Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe at Picky Palate, but I changed it up a bit to suit my family's taste.  I have a habit of reading recipes but never following them exactly. I always put my own spin on things.

Cheesy Chicken Cordon Bleu Rice Casserole

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 clove fresh garlic, minced

½ lb diced ham

2 Cups cooked shredded chicken breast

4 Tablespoons margarine

¼ Cup flour

1 tsp Zatarain's or other Cajun seasoning

 14 oz can chicken broth

3 Cups cooked brown rice

2 cups shredded cheese, your choice(I used Parmesan and sharp cheddar)

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Saute garlic, ham, and chicken in a skillet over medium heat until garlic is golden, but not browned.  Melt margarine; stir in flour and seasoning until combined.  Stir in chicken broth very slowly until smooth.  Add cooked rice, then transfer to a greased 9" x 13" baking dish.  Spread softened cream cheese in a thin layer over top of rice mixture.  Top with shredded cheese.  Bake for 20-25 minutes.  Cover with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.