Seasoning rice?

[DiscoDiva]

I'm tired of bland old rice, so I'd like to season it a bit for flavor. It will go with meals like chicken, meatloaf, etc. So, what do you do to add some flavor to rice?

[QueenDillyDally]

I sometimes cook the rice in chicken broth instead of water (or you could use beef broth if you are having a beef meal).

Also, I have added:
* sundried tomatoes (drained & chopped)
* fresh basil (chopped)
* pine nuts
* sauteed onions, mushrooms
* roasted red peppers
* green onion slices

[looch]

I like to simmer white rice in chicken stock, and towards the end, add peas. When all the water is absorbed, I add some parmesan cheese, it's like risotto, only much easier. This tastes good with chicken, steak, you name it.

To switch it up a bit, I make spanish rice buy simmering white rice in tomato sauce and adding spanish rice "mix" that I got at the grocery.

Finally, asian style rice...cooked white or brown rice, with a soy and sesame oil dressing, with ginger and scallion. yummy with fish.

I also make a lemon seafood rice with white rice simmered in lobster base, and grated lemon peel at the end. it's a nice change of pace when stuffed in salmon pinwheels, in addition to being served on the side.

HTH and I am eagerly looking forward to what others post, I need some new ideas!

[emmjay]

Saute an onion in some olive oil, then add in the uncooked rice and stir for about a minute until the rice is coated. Use the appropriate amount of broth instead of water, and also add in about 1/2 tsp of ground turmeric (just for color) and a bay leaf. You end up with a nice yellow rice with a lot of extra flavor.

[SweetRed]

Have you ever tried basmati rice? It's plenty flavorful on its own, but you could also add a lot of thing PP's are suggesting.

[bevvied]

oooh finally a thread where I'm good at something. I'm famous for my seasoned rice....adding my Caribbean touch..this is what I do.

I boil the rice..not too tender a bit on the hard side. Then I stir fry it in a mixture of seasonings. When boiling the rice add a bit of seasoned salt for flavor.

I take diced onions, red, green, yellow and orange bell peppers, garlic,a bit of seasoned salt, black pepper. I saute' the seasonings in a lil butter..this gives the pan a nice colorful look. Then I add the rice and mix well with the seasonings.

Should be yummy!

[QueenDillyDally]

oh yeah, I forgot...
I also have added Pesto to my rice as well. Yummy with an Italian flair!

[kissmary]

We use a little of our homemade Emeril's seasoning, which is also good on any and all meats:

2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder (we use garlic powder)
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Yield: 2/3 cup

[ysolde]

For rice to be served with a meat dish (or a heavier foul, such as turkey or goose), try cooking your rice in equal parts beef broth and French onion soup (right out of the can), add a bit of butter, cover, and bake at 350 degrees for about 30-35 minutes. Stir and serve.

[kemaji]

I'll saute and onion in some olive oil, add some mushrooms, then add the uncooked rice and cook until the rice turns from translucent to white. Then, add the rice mixture to some chicken or beef broth, bring to a boil and add some saffron. Once the liquid is boiled away, fluff and serve.

[ignutzz]

We've switched entirely to Basmati rice. OMG, the luscious smell that comes out of the kitchen when that stuff is cooking... :D

DH usually adds a squeeze of lemon, lemon zest and pinole nuts. Delish!

Also, I like to make it with cheese and a fancy mushroom like portobellas, shitake or porcinis (which, if you get the dried version, are economical even when out of season), it all comes together as a kind of risotto.

My favorite, awful, college living rice dish is: white rice, can of whole kernal corn, parmesean, pepper, butter and a boat load of Franks Red Hot. It's a terrible meal but I love it. :D

[Kiley]

Butter, sugar and cinnamon! :)

[kithara]

We put rice in our rice steamer with broth instead of water...any broth will work, chicken, beef, italian. It just gives it a light flavor.

[la_bride_2004]

I've cooked rice with tea before- I liked it!

I've done many as the same things as the PPs with the mix-ins- yummy!

I'll also add in some pearled barley for a crunchy texture.