Rice

Arancini

May 18, 2018

I still haven’t given up on this Italian kick I’ve been on lately, and I’m definitely not complaining about it because I’ve been stepping out of my comfort zone and cooking new things. I’m hispanic and so I’m no stranger to rice. I could literally eat rice every single day and never get tired of it. So it’s no surprise that I’ll take any excuse to eat it in any way I can. With that being said, arancini have got to be my favorite Italian appetizer. Whenever I see it on any menu, I automatically get excited because there is nothing better than balls made of rice, stuffed with cheese, dredged and then fried until crispy. Am I right, or am I right? It’s completely out of this world. It’s like a euphoric experience. Surprisingly light, yet filling with just the right amount of decadence. I’m trying hard to sell this dish to you, but really, we all know that I don’t have to try that hard at all because look at them! They basically sell themselves.

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Tex-Mex Breakfast Fried Rice

June 24, 2015

There’s a special place in my heart for rice. Fluffy white rice that only my mom can make perfectly right. I’ve tried and it just doesn’t come out like hers. I’m convinced she’s magic. I don’t give up though, I continue to make it and now I think it’s actually not that bad. As a kid, I grew up eating rice with absolutely everything. For instance, I refused to eat mac and cheese without a side of rice. That was a big no for me. They had to go together. Talk about carb loading—I knew how to live right back then—but I didn’t care because I was a kid. A kid addicted to rice. Nowadays I don’t eat mac and cheese with rice, but whenever I do have noodles mixed in a cheese sauce, I do get a sudden craving for rice and the next day for dinner, I’ll make sure to cook some up. If I can fit it into every meal/recipe then I’d be happy as a clam. Who says you can’t have rice for breakfast? That’s probably the best meal to have it, if you ask me, although I’m certain there isn’t a bad time to eat it. So maybe I’m biased…just a little bit.

I’m also a big fan of breakfast. I normally don’t eat a big breakfast during the week, just because I’m busy running around working, taking care of errands, or grocery shopping. Seriously, I spend more time at our local grocery store than I do at home. It comes with the job. I should have my own parking spot reserved by now. Anyhow, like I was saying, during the week I’ll just grab a quick bowl of cereal (cinnamon toast crunch all the way) or some toast with peanut butter. On the weekends though, I’ll make sure to cook extravagant (I exaggerate) breakfasts/brunches because there’s something about weekends and morning meals that excite me. Everyone should get excited. It’s a big deal.

My two favorite cuisines are Indian and Mexican food. I could eat either everyday. So I think it’s appropriate that now I’m trying to convince you all to eat and make this Tex-Mex breakfast fried rice for yourself. If I promise that it’s the best breakfast you’ll have, would you make it? If I promise that it’s ridiculously easy to whip up and that you can have it on the table in no time, will you get in the kitchen right this very second and cook up a batch? Well, both of those statements are true and I think you should most definitely try it for yourself this week. After all, it’s rice mixed with sausage topped with a fried egg. It all makes sense. Treat yo-self.

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Sausage and Mushroom Wild Rice

November 25, 2013

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Like in a few short days, around the corner. I’m sure that’s the last thing you want to hear right now because you’re probably panicking and worrying about everything turing out perfect and you feel like you might cry at any moment because it’s just too overwhelming. Or maybe you’re pulling out all of your hair because you still haven’t done the grocery shopping, and you don’t even know what you’re going to make yet, and you’re having a bunch of people over for dinner, and you just don’t know what you’ve gotten yourself into, and you feel like the world is ending. No? Maybe, I’m just projecting here. I’m still refusing to believe Thanksgiving is here. To me, this Thursday is just like any other day. The year just, whoosh, flew by. Although I do have to admit my stomach is starting to get really excited because I can’t wait to stuff my face with copious amounts of turkey and stuffing and mashed potatoes and dinner rolls and this here rice recipe I’m about to share with you. Oh and let’s not forget about all the pumpkin pie I plan on eating. Yeah you read that right, it’s just a carb fest. A carb-a-thon. I’m pretty sure that when the first Thanksgiving took place, it was their full intention, for this holiday to be nothing but carbohydrates. Carb party. One way ticket to Carb Town. I’m not mad at that though. Yeah, yeah, I’ll eat a few veggies here and there (for my mom’s sake). More like I’ll put some on my plate and when no one is looking just feed it to the dog. I’m totally kidding, I don’t even have a dog, but if I did you better believe he’d love vegetables. I’ll just hide the veggies somewhere else. Like under my placemat or onto my sister’s plate. She’ll give me her turkey and I’ll give her my veggies. It’s a win-win when someone you know doesn’t eat meat. If you don’t have a vegetarian friend, you’re missing out on all the wonderful eating opportunities that comes with it. Go out and find a vegetarian right away.

Thanksgiving, in all seriousness, happens to be my favorite holiday because it’s a holiday centered around food. What can be so wrong about that? It’s also a holiday (like most, I’m sure) centered around family and friends and loved ones. I added the “loved ones” to that line just in case you don’t love certain family members or friends and you just can’t stand their faces or something. See? I’m looking out for you. I’ve got you covered. I’ve also got you covered in the recipe department. If you’re tired of the same boring dishes year after year, around the Thanksgiving table, or if your family refuses to eat another green bean casserole or mashed potatoes (don’t include them in the loved ones category because they’re crazy) well, then you can switch things up this year by trying out this wild rice dish. I think that it compliments all the traditional turkey day flavors perfectly. But maybe I’m just biased because I made this and it’s the new post and I’m trying to sell it to you like a used car. That could be true. But do you really want to take that chance? This could be your new favorite Thanksgiving side dish for all you know. This could be the deciding factor for your boyfriend or girlfriend to propose to you (probably not, but I’m really trying here). I don’t think you should take the risk of not making it this year. That’s it. It’s settled. It has been decided—I’ve decided for you, trust me. You’re going to make this dish in just a short few days. No no, no need to thank me. It’s my job to make these types of decisions for you. All I ask is that you dedicate your Thanksgiving meal to me. Right before eating, just stand up and say, “I want to take a moment to dedicate this meal to the man who made it possible. The man who created this wonderful wild rice dish you’re all about to enjoy. The man who changed my life. Jonathan Melendez.” That’s not asking for much right? I think it’s pretty reasonable. But enough about me, sheesh, you all sure know how to talk my ear off. Let’s get cooking. Thanksgiving is around the corner. Like in a few short days, around the corner. We’ve been here once before…

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