Slow-Cooker Citrus-Lemongrass Rice Pudding

This simple-to-prepare rice pudding—delicious served cold or warm—is creamy and perfumed with the Thai flavors of citrus and lemongrass. It's best when made with medium-grain white rice, as for risotto. Don’t use long-grain or brown rice, which takes longer to cook and requires more liquid. To save time, zest the citrus with a Microplane rasp.

• Cooking spray
• 5-inch length fresh lemongrass, finely chopped
• 3 cups 2% milk
• 3-1⁄2 cups coconut milk (not low fat), well shaken
• 1-1⁄2 cups granulated sugar
• 1⁄2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1-1⁄2 cups uncooked medium-grain white rice, such as arborio, rinsed with cold water and drained
• 1-1⁄2 Tbs. total freshly grated lemon, orange, and lime zest (use a mixture for the best flavor); more for serving (optional)
• 1 tsp. vanilla bean paste or extract
• 1⁄8 tsp. ground cardamom

Tip:

To adapt a slow-cooker recipe to a conventional oven, follow these guidelines: add more liquid, to accommodate for greater evaporation; bring the dish to a boil over high heat in a Dutch oven, then cover the pot and put in a 350°F oven. Plan on the dish taking roughly half the time to cook in the oven as it would in the slow cooker.

Grease the slow cooker with cooking spray. Place the lemongrass on a small piece of cheesecloth, form into a bundle, and secure tightly with kitchen twine. Add to a medium-size, heavy saucepan, along with the milk, coconut milk, sugar, and salt. Stir and bring to a strong simmer over medium-high heat (to prevent curdling, do not let boil).

Pour the hot mixture, including the lemongrass sachet, into the slow cooker. Add the rice and stir well. Cover and cook on low until the rice is completely tender, about 2 hours (you want there to be some liquid left). Remove from the heat, discard the lemongrass sachet, and stir in the zest, vanilla, and cardamom.

Let cool slightly, then pour into individual serving bowls, cover, and refrigerate until cold. If desired, garnish with additional zest before serving.

Arroz Rojo de Chile Ancho (Ancho Chile Red Rice)

This earthy, brick-red rice is made by frying the uncooked rice with a purée of ancho chiles. The addition of milk tones down some of the chile-induced heat.

• 4 medium to large dried ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 4-1/2 tsp. unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup blanched, slivered almonds
• 3 Tbs. olive oil
• 1-1/2 cups long-grain rice
• 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
• 1-3/4 cups homemade or low-salt chicken broth
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1-1/4 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 tsp. dried thyme
• 1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
• 1 avocado, peeled and cut into large dice or slices (optional)

Put the chiles in a small saucepan. Cover with water, bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, cover it, and let the chiles soak for 10 to 15 minutes; drain. Put the chiles in a blender, add the garlic and 1/3 cup water, and blend for at least 1 min., starting at low speed and gradually turning to high speed, to make a purée; set aside.

Melt 1-1/2 tsp. of the butter in a small skillet over medium to medium-low heat, add the almonds and cook, stirring often, until they are golden brown but not burned. Pour onto a plate and set aside.

Heat the olive oil and the remaining butter in a large pot or Dutch oven (with a good lid) over medium heat, add the rice and onions, and sauté, stirring frequently, for 5 to 6 minutes. The rice and onions should be starting to turn golden. Turn the heat to between medium and medium high, stir in the chile purée, and continue cooking, stirring every 30 seconds, until almost all the moisture has evaporated and the rice no longer sticks together, 7 to 10 minutes. Add the broth, milk, salt, oregano, and thyme, stirring to mix well. Bring the liquid to a boil, cover the pot, turn the heat to very low, and simmer for 20 minutes. Turn off the heat, stir in the toasted almonds, cover the pot, and let the rice steam, off the heat, for about 15 minutes. Serve with a dollop of the sour cream and the avocado.

Arroz Verde (Green Rice)

Rich and refined, arroz verde is one of the most popular dishes I present to cooking classes.

• 1/2 cup tightly packed fresh cilantro sprigs (about 1/2 oz.)
• 1 cup tightly packed fresh stemmed spinach leaves (about 1-1/2 oz.)
• 1-1/4 cups homemade or low-salt chicken broth
• 1-1/4 cups milk
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 Tbs. olive oil
• 3 Tbs. unsalted butter
• 1-1/2 cups long-grain rice
• 1/4 cup finely minced onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Put the cilantro, spinach, and broth in a blender and blend until the vegetables are puréed. Add the milk and salt and blend a bit more until well combined.

In a medium (3-qt.) heavy-based saucepan (with a good lid) over medium heat, heat the olive oil and butter. When the butter is melted, add the rice and sauté, stirring about every 30 seconds, until it just begins to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the onion and garlic and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the contents of the blender, stir well, turn the heat to high, and bring to a boil. Cover the pan, turn the heat to very low, and cook for 20 minutes. Stir the rice carefully to avoid crushing it, cover, and cook another 5 minutes.

Take the pan off the heat and let the rice steam in the covered pot for 10 minutes. Serve hot.

Rice and Beans with Fried Eggs

Served with soft corn tortillas, this traditional Costa Rican dish works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Salsa Lizano is a Costa Rican condiment that’s similar to Worcestershire sauce but thicker and sweeter—you can substitute Worcestershire for it, but the flavor will be more assertive.

• 3/4 cup long-grain white rice
• Kosher salt
• 2 Tbs. canola oil
• 1 small yellow onion, cut into small dice
• 1/2 medium red bell pepper, seeded and cut into small dice
• 2 large cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/4 cup canned tomato sauce
• 1 (15-1/2-oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 3 Tbs. Salsa Lizano; more to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 8 large eggs
• 2 Tbs. chopped fresh cilantro

Put the rice, a big pinch of salt, and 1-1/2 cups of water in a 3-quart saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the rice has absorbed the water and is tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside with the lid on.


Meanwhile, heat 1 Tbs. of the oil in a 4-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, and a pinch of salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the cumin and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomato sauce and stir for 1 minute. Add the beans and 1 cup of water and simmer until the liquid reduces to the level of the beans, about 4 minutes.


Add the rice to the beans and mix well. Stir in the Salsa Lizano and season to taste with salt and pepper. Keep warm.


Heat the remaining 1 Tbs. of oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat, swirling the pan to coat evenly. Gently crack the eggs into the pan. Season with salt and pepper, cover, and cook until the yolks’ edges have just begun to set, 2 to 3 minutes. (The eggs should cook gently, so lower the heat if needed.) Separate the eggs with the edge of a spatula.


To serve, put a heaping spoonful of the rice and beans on a plate and slide 2 eggs on top. Sprinkle with the cilantro.

Calas Fried Rice Fritters

Crisp around the edges with a plump, toothsome belly, these fritters beg to be served with obscene quantities of earthy, sorghum-like cane syrup, though traditionalists may opt for confectioners’ sugar instead.

• 1/2 cup long-grain white rice (Mahatma brand if you can find it)
• Peanut oil for frying
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 3 large eggs
• 2 tsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• Cane syrup for serving

Tip:

I usually make calas when I have leftover rice in the fridge—whether it’s from Monday’s red beans or Chinese takeout. If using leftover rice, add 1-1/2 cups of cooked, cold rice to the batter.

Bring 1 cup of water and a pinch of salt to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the rice, stir once, reduce the heat to low, and cover the pan, cooking 18 to 20 minutes or until the grains of rice are plump and fluff apart with a fork. Turn the rice out onto a parchment paper–lined baking sheet and cool for 15 minutes, then transfer to a plastic container (don’t pack it in). Cover with plastic wrap and poke a few holes in the top. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to 2 days.


Pour enough peanut oil into a large pot to fill it to a 2-1/2- to 3-inch depth and bring to a temperature between 350°F and 360°F over medium heat. Line a plate with paper towels and set aside.


While the oil heats up, place the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon in a medium bowl.


Using a stand mixer or a hand mixer, beat the eggs, sugar, and vanilla on high speed until foamy and tripled in volume, 1-1/2 to 2 minutes. Sift in half of the dry ingredients, add the salt, and mix on low speed until only a few dry streaks remain. Sift in the remaining dry ingredients and mix on low speed for a few turns, then add the rice and mix until the fritter batter just comes together into a loose, roughly textured ball.


Once your oil is hot, dip a teaspoon in the hot oil, then into the batter and scoop out a heaping teaspoonful. Hold the spoon close to the oil and let the batter roll off and into the oil. Repeat with the remaining batter; using a slotted spoon, turn and baste the fritters occasionally, allowing them to become golden brown on all sides. (Fry the fritters in two batches if your pot becomes overcrowded.) If the temperature of the oil dips below 350°F, increase the heat to medium-high. Once the fritters are golden brown, transfer them to the prepared plate to cool slightly. Serve on a small plate drizzled with lots of cane syrup.

Chicken Adobo with Rice

If you answered the "What's for dinner?" question with "chicken," but you haven't actually decided what you're going to do with it yet, try this tonight. Based on traditional Filipino chicken adobo, or chicken stewed in vinegar, this is a perfect weeknight dish since it changes things up a bit and most of the ingredients are already in your pantry.

• 1-1/2 cups long-grain white rice
• Kosher salt
• 1 Tbs. vegetable oil
• 1-1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1-inch strips
• Freshly ground pepper
• 4 large cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1/2 cup lower-sodium soy sauce
• 1 dried bay leaf
• 1 tsp. freshly cracked black peppercorns

Put the rice, a big pinch of salt, and 3 cups of water in a 3-quart saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside with the cover on.


Meanwhile, heat the oil in a heavy-duty 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, season with 1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until light golden-brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 more minutes. Add the vinegar, soy sauce, bay leaf, and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium low, and simmer until the liquid reduces by about one-quarter, 8 to 10 minutes. Discard the bay leaf.


Just before serving, uncover the rice and fluff it with a fork. Serve the chicken and sauce over the rice.

Basic Fluffy White Rice

If you find making a perfect pot of white rice a challenge, you're not alone. Fluffy and tender rice is something that can elude even seasoned chefs. Here's a tip: Be sure not to skip the resting step at the end: as the rice sits off the heat, the moisture in the rice redistributes itself for a more uniform texture throughout the pot. For more help achieving perfect rice every time, read How to Cook Rice Perfectly and The Science of Cooking Rice. You can also download a detailed chart on How to Cook Rice, including 14 varieties and 5 common cooking methods, and watch a video detailing step-by-step how to cook rice.

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• Unsalted butter or olive oil (optional)
• Kosher salt (optional)

Rinse the rice in a few changes of cold water. Drain the rice well in a sieve.

In a medium, heavy-bottomed pot with a tight-fitting lid, combine 1-3/4 cups water, the rice, and a bit of butter or oil and salt, if you like. Bring to a boil over high heat. As soon as the water is boiling, lower the heat to a simmer and cover. (If you have an electric stove, use two burners: bring the rice to a boil on a hot burner and then immediately slide it to a burner set on low to continue cooking at a slow simmer.) Cook at a gentle simmer until the water is completely absorbed and the rice is tender, about 12 minutes (it's okay to lift the lid to make sure the rice is fully cooked and the water is absorbed—just replace the lid quickly).

Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, undisturbed with the lid on, for at least 5 minutes and for as long as 30 minutes. Remove the lid, fluff the rice gently with a fork or chopstick, and serve.

Jamaican Rice & Peas

This is really a rice and beans dish, but in Jamaica, beans are called peas. Mark Henry, the banquet chef at the Pooks Hill Marriott in Bethesda, Maryland, serves this aromatic dish to accompany his Jamaican Jerk Chicken.

• 2 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1/2-inch piece ginger, unpeeled, crushed with a mallet or the side of a knife
• 10 whole allspice berries
• 5 oz. (3/4 cup) dried red kidney beans, picked over and rinsed
• 1 can (about 14 oz.) coconut milk
• 1-1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 tsp. cracked black peppercorns
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 scallion, root trimmed
• 2 cups raw long-grain rice
• 1 fresh Scotch bonnet chile or habanero

Tie the garlic, ginger, and allspice berries in a small cheescloth pouch. In a 3-qt.ovenproof pot, combine the beans, coconut milk, and 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook until the beans are soft, 1-1/4 to 2 hours. If necessary, add more water during cooking to keep the beans covered.

Heat the oven to 350°F. Add the salt, pepper, thyme, and scallion to the beans. Add the rice and enough water to cover the rice by about 1 inch (about 2 cups). Bring to a boil and add the whole chile; don't break, crack, or cut the chile.

Cover and bake until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 25 minutes. Remove the chile, thyme sprigs, scallion, and ginger-garlic pouch before serving.

Arroz Rojo de Chile Ancho (Ancho Chile Red Rice)

This earthy, brick-red rice is made by frying the uncooked rice with a purée of ancho chiles. The addition of milk tones down some of the chile-induced heat.

• 4 medium to large dried ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 4-1/2 tsp. unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup blanched, slivered almonds
• 3 Tbs. olive oil
• 1-1/2 cups long-grain rice
• 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
• 1-3/4 cups homemade or low-salt chicken broth
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1-1/4 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 tsp. dried thyme
• 1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
• 1 avocado, peeled and cut into large dice or slices (optional)

Put the chiles in a small saucepan. Cover with water, bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, cover it, and let the chiles soak for 10 to 15 minutes; drain. Put the chiles in a blender, add the garlic and 1/3 cup water, and blend for at least 1 min., starting at low speed and gradually turning to high speed, to make a purée; set aside.

Melt 1-1/2 tsp. of the butter in a small skillet over medium to medium-low heat, add the almonds and cook, stirring often, until they are golden brown but not burned. Pour onto a plate and set aside.

Heat the olive oil and the remaining butter in a large pot or Dutch oven (with a good lid) over medium heat, add the rice and onions, and sauté, stirring frequently, for 5 to 6 minutes. The rice and onions should be starting to turn golden. Turn the heat to between medium and medium high, stir in the chile purée, and continue cooking, stirring every 30 seconds, until almost all the moisture has evaporated and the rice no longer sticks together, 7 to 10 minutes. Add the broth, milk, salt, oregano, and thyme, stirring to mix well. Bring the liquid to a boil, cover the pot, turn the heat to very low, and simmer for 20 minutes. Turn off the heat, stir in the toasted almonds, cover the pot, and let the rice steam, off the heat, for about 15 minutes. Serve with a dollop of the sour cream and the avocado.

Arroz Huérfano (Orphan’s Rice)

In Mexico, arroz huérfano is often served at lunch or for a late, light supper, accompanied by a bowl of soup and perhaps some tacos.

• 2-2/3 cups homemade or low-salt chicken broth
• Pinch saffron threads (about 1/8 tsp.)
• 3 Tbs. oil
• 1-1/2 cups long-grain rice
• 1 Tbs. finely minced onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3/4 tsp. kosher salt
• 1-1/2 oz. bacon (about 1 thick slice or 2 thin slices)
• 1-1/2 oz. finely chopped ham (about 1/4 cup)
• 1 Tbs. unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup pecan halves
• 1/2 cup blanched slivered almonds
• 1/3 cup pine nuts
• 1 Tbs. finely chopped flat-leaf parsley

Heat the broth in a small saucepan until very hot but not boiling, and add the saffron. Turn off the heat and let the mixture sit for at least 10 minutes.

Heat a medium-large, heavy-based pot or Dutch oven (with a good lid) over medium heat until hot, pour in the oil, and then add the rice and sauté, stirring frequently, until a few grains just begin to brown, no more, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the onion and garlic and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Turn the heat to high, add the saffron broth and salt, bring to a boil, cover, turn the heat down to very low, and cook for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, fry the bacon until crisp, drain on paper towels, chop finely, and mix with the ham. Pour out the grease from the pan and add the butter. Melt the butter over medium heat, add the pecans, almonds, and pine nuts, and sauté them, stirring frequently until the almonds begin to turn golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Don’t overcook the nuts or they’ll be bitter. When the rice has cooked 15 minutes, stir in the bacon and ham, sautéed nuts, and parsley, cover the pot, and take it off the heat. Let the rice steam in the covered pot for 10 minutes. Serve hot.

Chicken Adobo with Rice

If you answered the "What's for dinner?" question with "chicken," but you haven't actually decided what you're going to do with it yet, try this tonight. Based on traditional Filipino chicken adobo, or chicken stewed in vinegar, this is a perfect weeknight dish since it changes things up a bit and most of the ingredients are already in your pantry.

• 1-1/2 cups long-grain white rice
• Kosher salt
• 1 Tbs. vegetable oil
• 1-1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1-inch strips
• Freshly ground pepper
• 4 large cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1/2 cup lower-sodium soy sauce
• 1 dried bay leaf
• 1 tsp. freshly cracked black peppercorns

Put the rice, a big pinch of salt, and 3 cups of water in a 3-quart saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside with the cover on.


Meanwhile, heat the oil in a heavy-duty 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, season with 1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until light golden-brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 more minutes. Add the vinegar, soy sauce, bay leaf, and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium low, and simmer until the liquid reduces by about one-quarter, 8 to 10 minutes. Discard the bay leaf.


Just before serving, uncover the rice and fluff it with a fork. Serve the chicken and sauce over the rice.

Chicken and Rice Soup with Spinach, Lemon, and Dill

A burst of fresh lemon juice, added just before serving, makes this soup sing.

• 1-1/2 Tbs. olive oil or canola oil
• 2 cups finely chopped onion 
• 1 cup finely chopped or diced carrot
• 1 cup finely chopped or diced celery
• Kosher salt
• 1 large or 2 small bay leaves
• 3 quarts Homemade Chicken Broth or lower-salt chicken broth
• 3-1/2 to 4 cups shredded, cooked chicken
• 3 cups cooked-until-barely-tender white rice
• 10 oz. spinach, well washed and dried, tough stems removed, and chopped into 2-inch piece
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
• 1 to 4 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions for serving (optional)

Tip:

If you made the chicken broth yourself, use the meat from that bird;
otherwise you can use the meat from a store-bought rotisserie chicken.

Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large (at least 8-quart), heavy-duty pot or Dutch oven. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and 1/2 Tbs. salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and lightly browned in places, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the bay leaf or leaves and cook, stirring, about 30 seconds.

Add the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring, until the vegetables are completely tender, 20 to 30 minutes.

Stir in the shredded chicken, the rice, and spinach. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until all are tender and the flavors meld, 5 to 10 minutes.

Stir in the dill and 1 Tbs. of the lemon juice. Taste, and add more lemon juice, 1 Tbs. at a time, if needed, up to 4 Tbs. Season with salt and pepper to taste and garnish each bowl with 1 Tbs. sliced scallion, if you like.