Holiday Rice Recipes: Festive Flavors from Around the World

Many home cooks, food enthusiasts and foodies turn to comforting and festive dishes in the lead up to Christmas to enjoy their families and friends. Rice, a versatile ingredient in many cuisines provides endless options for creating memorable and delicious festive dinners. Explore a wide range of dishes for holiday rice including festive pilaf, Christmas rice, and savory to delicious and decadent casseroles. Learn more at RiceArray.org

Christmas Rice: A Bright Celebration

Christmas rice is a festive and vibrant dish that adds festive cheer to any dish. This recipe pairs delicious rice with vibrant peppers to create a delicious and visually attractive food item.

Start by cooking the rice according in the directions on the package. While the rice is cooking prepare the diced green, red, and yellow bell peppers in olive oil along with garlic and onions. Add bouillon, Italian seasoning and mixed spices to the mixture for warmth. When the rice is cooked, add it to the sauteed vegetables and seasonings.

To add a festive flair, consider adding dried cranberries or raisins to the rice mixture. These sweet morsels not only contribute to the dish's festive appearance but also provide bursts of flavor that compliment the savory elements.

Cilantro Lime Rice: A Zesty Holiday Side

While cilantro lime rice isn't usually associated with the holidays but it is a bright and refreshing alternative to heavier festive food. This dish pairs well with a wide range of main courses and adds an uplifting, citrusy flavor to the menu for your holiday meal.

To prepare cilantro lime rice, cook long-grain rice in water or vegetable stock. Once the rice is cooked, sift the rice before adding finely chopped fresh cilantro, lime zest, and lime juice. The result is a light delicious, aromatic rice dish that will help balance the richer foods of the holiday and can add a cleansing element to your meal.

Mama's Holiday Rice: A Comforting Casserole

Momma's Holiday Rice will satisfy those who want an easy, delicious rice dish. This casserole recipe blends rice with a delicious mixture of beef consomme, French onion soup and mushrooms. It's an extremely satisfying and filling dinner dish.

To make this indulgent dish cook butter in a casserole dish. Then add canned soups, uncooked rice, and water. Add sliced mushrooms and almonds to the mix, and bake until the liquid has been absorbed. This creamy, savory casserole is certain to become a favorite for the holiday season.

Wild Rice Pilaf: A Nut and Festive Aside

This delicious mix of flavors, textures and hues is perfect for holiday dinners. The dish is usually made from wild rice and dried fruits, nuts and aromatic herbs.

For a festive wild rice pilaf, boil a mix of wild and white rice in vegetable or chicken broth. While the rice cooks, sauté onions, carrots and apples in butter. When the rice is cooked add it to the sauteed vegetables and add dried pecans, cranberries and chopped pears and fresh herbs such as rosemary and parsley. It's a delicious tasty rice dish that's visually attractive and delicious.

You could substitute dried cherries in place of cranberries and add sauteed mushrooms to the dish for a more earthy taste. This recipe is easily adaptable to your personal preferences and can enhance any main meal.

Cheesy Rice Casserole with Cheesy Broccoli: A Crowd-Pleasing Classic

There is no holiday dinner without a delicious, comforting casserole. This classic dish blends broccoli, rice and a rich sauce made of cheese. It is adored by both children and adults.

For this popular dish cook the broccoli and rice in separate portions. In a large skillet, create the cheese sauce by using butter, onions as well as soup made from chicken broth and processed cheese. Combine cooked rice and broccoli with the cheese sauce, then transfer the dish into an oven-proof dish. Sprinkle on more cheese and a crushed potato chip for a crunchier finish. Bake until the rice is golden brown and bubbling.

This recipe isn't just delicious, but also good for incorporating vegetables into your holiday feast. It's also suitable for children. The smooth texture and delicious taste make it a cozy centerpiece for any holiday table.

Louisiana Dirty Rice: A Spicy Southern Tradition

Louisiana Dirty Rice will satisfy those who like a more filling, tasty rice dish. This Southern classic recipe combines ground meat, vegetables and spices to make a delicious and satisfying dinner dish.

Begin by cooking ground beef and sausages in a large pan. Add celery, bell peppers and onions, the "Holy Trinity" of Louisiana cooking. Add a mixture of herbs and spices including cayenne, oregano and thyme to the dish to bring it up. Stir in flour to create a roux, then add chicken broth and simmer. Finally, fold in cooked rice and fresh parsley.

The rice dish is incredibly flavorful and comes with an "dirty" and slightly smokey appearance due to the browning of the meat and spices. Dirty Rice is a versatile side that is a great complement to a variety of main courses or stand alone as a delicious main meal.

Brazilian Christmas Rice: A Taste of Tropical Festivals

For a unique twist on rice for the holidays, try Brazilian Christmas Rice. This festive meal is made up of champagne as well as raisins and cashews for a sweet and savory combination that's well-loved in Brazil in the festive season.

To prepare Brazilian Christmas Rice, start by soaking raisins in champagne. Incorporate the rice, onion and garlic to olive oil and toast lightly. Rice is cooked using water and champagne from the raisins soaked in the wine. After cooking, mix in the plumped raisins and chopped cashews.

This dish is a delicious blend of textures, flavors and scents. The sweetness of the raisins balances the subtle nuttiness of champagne. This dish is a great method to bring a hint of Brazilian Christmas to your holiday menu and add an exotic new twist.

Perfect Holiday Rice Dishes Tips and Tricks

Here are some tips for a perfect dish, no matter which rice recipe you select:

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

2. Use the right ratio Make sure to follow the ratio of liquid to rice carefully for properly cooked rice.

3. Rest After cooking rice, allow it to rest for 5-10 mins before fluffing or serving. This will ensure that the moisture is evenly distributed.

4. Playing around with grains Don't be afraid to mix different rices or grains to get a variety of textures and flavors.

5. Season your rice well: Rice absorbs flavors beautifully, so don't be shy with your seasonings and spices.

6. Preparing ahead : You can prepare numerous rice dishes ahead of time. This will save you time when it comes to your Thanksgiving meal.

Conclusion

Recipes for holiday rice can be a fantastic way to create festive delicious and tasty dishes that be a perfect match for any holiday meal. You can choose a bright Christmas rice, a comforting casserole, or a spicy Southern traditional, there's a rice dish to suit any style and taste.

The rice dishes will add new textures and flavors to your holiday menu while preserving the culinary traditions of around the globe. From the vibrant Christmas rice to the indulgent Momma's Holiday Rice and the exotic Brazilian Christmas Rice, these dishes are sure to bring warmth, comfort, and delicious tastes to your table during the holidays.

Why not create a dish that can become an annual tradition for your family during the festive season? These recipes and tips will help you create the perfect holiday dinner of rice that your guests and family will love.