Recipes for Holiday Rice Holiday Flavors Around the World

Many home cooks, culinary enthusiasts and foodies turn to festive and comforting meals as the holiday season approaches to spend time with family and loved ones. Rice is an ingredient that can be used that is used in a variety of cuisines around the globe. Rice offers a variety of options for creating unforgettable and delicious festive meals. Explore a wide range of dishes for holiday rice including festive pilaf and Christmas rice to delicious casseroles. Learn more at RiceArray.org

Christmas Rice: A Bright Celebration

Christmas rice adds an uplifting and festive touch to any meal. This recipe mixes soft rice with vibrant bell peppers, making a visually appealing and flavorful side dish that's perfect to serve with your holiday feast.

For making Christmas rice, start by cooking long-grain or basmati rice in accordance with the instructions on the package. As the rice is cooking, sauté diced green, red and yellow bell peppers in olive oils with garlic and onions. Add Bouillon, Italian seasoning and mixed spices to the mixture to give it a warm taste. After the rice is cooked, mix it in with the vegetables and seasonings.

Consider adding raisins or dried cranberries to the mixture of rice for an extra festive touch. The sweet ingredients do not just add to the festive appearance of the dish, but can also add a zing of flavor.

Cilantro Lime Rice: A Zesty Holiday Side

While cilantro lime rice isn't typically associated with holidays but it is a bright and refreshing option to heavy holiday food. This rice dish can be enjoyed with a range of main dishes and provides an energetic, citrusy flavor to your holiday menu.

To prepare cilantro lime rice, cook long-grain rice in water or vegetable stock. Once cooked, fluff the rice, then mix in finely chopped fresh cilantro, lime zest and lime juice. The fragrant, light rice dish is a great way to complement heavier holiday dishes and provide a the taste of a cleanser to the food.

Momma’s Holiday Rice - A Comforting Casserole

If you're looking for a hearty and comforting rice dish, Momma's Holiday Rice is a perfect recipe. This casserole recipe uses rice and a mixture of French onion soup and beef consomme for an incredibly satisfying and filling side dish.

For this delectable dish, melt butter in a casserole dish and add canned soups, rice that has not been cooked, and water. Add sliced mushrooms and almonds to the mix, and bake until the liquid has been absorption. This creamy, savory casserole is sure to be a favorite for the holiday season.

Wild Rice Pilaf - A Nuts and Festive Side

This delightful mix of flavors, textures and colors is perfect for festive dinners. This recipe typically blends wild rice with dried fruit, nuts, and aromatic herbs, resulting in an interesting and delicious dinner dish.

For a festive wild rice pilaf, cook a mix of wild and white rice in chicken or vegetable broth. While the rice is cooking prepare the onions as well as carrots, apples and onions in butter. When the rice is cooked you can mix it with the veggies you've sautéed. Add dried cranberries and chopped pecans. Additionally fresh herbs like rosemary and parsley. This rice dish is delicious and visually appealing.

To make it a bit more interesting, try making use of dried cherries instead cranberries. You can also add sauteed mushrooms for a rich flavor. This recipe is easily adaptable to your preferences and will be a great accompaniment to any main dish.

Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole A crowd-pleasing classic

A cheesy casserole is an essential part of any holiday meal. This classic dish combines broccoli, rice and a creamy sauce of cheese. It is loved by both children and adults.

For this popular dish cook the rice and broccoli in separate portions. In a large pan prepare the cheese sauce by using butter, onions, cream of chicken soup as well as processed cheese. Combine cooked rice and broccoli with the cheese sauce, then transfer the mix to a casserole dish. Add more cheese and crushed potato chips to give it more crunch. Bake until golden brown and bubbling.

This casserole is not only delicious, but also an excellent option to incorporate vegetables into your holiday meals in a child-friendly way. The creamy texture and the cheesy flavor make it a great option for any holiday dinner.

Louisiana Dirty Rice - A Spicy Southern Tradition

For those who like an energizing, more flavorful rice dish, Louisiana Dirty Rice is an excellent choice. This traditional Southern recipe combines rice with vegetables, ground meat, and a mix of spices for a flavorful and satisfying side dish that is able to stand by itself as a main course.

Start by browning ground sausages and beef in a large pan. Add diced bell peppers, onions, and celery, which is known as the "Holy Trinity" in Louisiana cooking. Then, season the dish with a blend of spices and herbs like oregano, thyme chili powder and cayenne pepper for heat. Add flour to chicken broth to make an roux. Then, add cooked rice and fresh parsley.

The rice dish is incredibly flavorful and comes with an "dirty", slightly smokey appearance due to the browning of the meat and spices. The versatile Dirty Rice is a great choice to serve as a side dish that can be served alongside a wide range of dishes or stand alone.

Brazilian Christmas Rice A taste of Tropical Festivities

For a unique twist on holiday rice, you should try Brazilian Christmas Rice. This festive dish incorporates champagne, raisins, and cashews to create a delicious and sweet mixture that's very popular in Brazil during the holiday season.

To prepare Brazilian Christmas Rice begin by soaking raisins in champagne. Add the rice, onions, and garlic to olive oil and toast lightly. Rice is cooked with champagne and water from raisins soaked in the wine. Add the cashews and raisins after the rice has been cooked.

The dish is a wonderful blend of textures, flavors and aromas. The sweetness of the raisins offsets the subtle nuttiness of the champagne. It's the perfect opportunity to add a touch of Brazilian Christmas customs to your table during the holidays and add an exotic flair to your festive meal.

Tips for Perfect Holiday Rice Dishes

Here are some suggestions for the perfect rice dish, no matter which rice recipe you select:

1. Rinse the rice Always wash your rice prior to cooking in order to get rid of any excess starch. This will result in a more fluffier rice.

2. Make sure you use the correct ratio: Follow the recipe's ratio of liquid to rice with care to cook rice properly.

3. Let it sit: After cooking, let the rice rest for 5-10 minutes before fluffing and serving to allow for even distribution of water.

4. Try your hand at grains: Don't be afraid to mix different kinds of grains or rice for various textures and flavors.

5. Season your rice well: Rice absorbs flavors perfectly, so don't feel insecure with your seasonings or spices.

6. Prepare it in advance: Many rice dishes can be prepared in a fraction or fully prepared in advance which will save you time for the day of your holiday meal.

Conclusion

Rice recipes for the holidays are a great recipe for creating festive delicious and tasty dishes that complement any holiday meal. There's a rice recipe for any taste and preference, whether it's an appealing Christmas meal, a comforting rice casserole, or a spicy Southern classic.

These rice recipes will bring new textures and flavors to your festive meals while respecting the traditions of food across the globe. From the vibrant Christmas rice, to the decadent Momma's Holiday Rice and the exotic Brazilian Christmas Rice, these dishes are guaranteed to provide warmth, comfort, and delicious flavors to your holiday dinner table.

Why not make a dish that will become an annual tradition for your family during the festive season? With these recipes and tips to follow, you'll be able to create the perfect holiday rice recipe that will please your loved ones and family and make your meal even more special.