Spanish Rice

Spanish Rice

Ingredients

• 1 cups rice (I used brown rice)
• 1/4 cup oil (I used canola, but will try olive oil next time)
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce (I used the 5.5oz can)
• 3 stems cilantro (optional)
• 1 clove minced garlic 
• 2 cups water
• 1 chicken flavored bouillon cube (I used 1 ts "better than bouillon" chicken base)
• dash of cumin
• dash of garlic powder 

Directions:

Throw it all in the rice cooker (make sure to use the brown rice button if using brown rice) and cook per rice cooker instructions. 

Notes:

Makes a nice simple side to many of our "TexMex" style dinners. The boys loved it. The original recipe has many more steps and is made on the stovetop and it would probably turn out even better but I love the simplicity of the rice cooker!

Photo credit and recipe adapted from here: http://lilluna.com/food-tutorial-spanish-rice/

Crispy Southwest Chicken Wraps

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked rice, warm or at room temperature
• 1 cup cooked, shredded chicken (or other leftover meat, like shredded pork or beef)
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 green onion, finely sliced (white and green parts)
• 1/2 red or green pepper, diced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• juice of 1 lime
• 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 2 cups shredded cheese (I use a combination of Monterey jack and sharp cheddar)
• Sour cream (optional)
• 6 burrito-sized flour tortillas

Directions

1. Mix rice together with chili powder, cumin and garlic salt. Add remaining ingredients except for cheese and sour cream. Sprinkle cheese over tortillas, leaving 1/2-inch border around edges, then arrange chicken and rice mixture down the center of each tortilla. (Optional: I like to dollop little bits of sour cream over the cheese before arranging chicken and rice mixture down the center – it makes the wraps delightfully creamy.) Roll stuffed tortillas, leaving edges open and slightly flatten the wraps with the palm of your hand. Spray seam-side of the wrap lightly with cooking spray.
2. Heat a large non-stick skillet (or griddle) over medium heat for 1 minute. Arrange wraps, seam-side down, in pan or griddle and cook until golden brown and crisp, about 2-3 minutes per side. Cooking them seam-side down first helps seal the long edge so they don’t fall apart. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining wraps. Serve warm.

Courtesy of:  http://www.melskitchencafe.com/

Crispy Southwest Chicken Wraps

1 cup cooked rice, warm or at room temperature
1 cup cooked, shredded chicken (or other leftover meat, like shredded pork or beef)
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 green onion, finely sliced (white and green parts)
1/2 red or green pepper, diced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
juice of 1 lime
1/2 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
2 cups shredded cheese (I use a combination of Monterey jack and sharp cheddar)
Sour cream (optional)
6 burrito-sized flour tortillas

Mix rice together with chili powder, cumin and garlic salt. Add remaining ingredients except for cheese and sour cream. Sprinkle cheese over tortillas, leaving 1/2-inch border around edges, then arrange chicken and rice mixture down the center of each tortilla. (Optional: I like to dollop little bits of sour cream over the cheese before arranging chicken and rice mixture down the center – it makes the wraps delightfully creamy.) Roll stuffed tortillas, leaving edges open and slightly flatten the wraps with the palm of your hand. Spray seam-side of the wrap lightly with cooking spray.
Heat a large non-stick skillet (or griddle) over medium heat for 1 minute. Arrange wraps, seam-side down, in pan or griddle and cook until golden brown and crisp, about 2-3 minutes per side. Cooking them seam-side down first helps seal the long edge so they don’t fall apart. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining wraps. Serve warm.

Recipe Source: original recipe from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

Note: great freezer meal.  Make filling ahead and freeze.  Makes fun quick lunches.  We like to serve with Costco bake-yourself tortillas.

Orzo with Parmesean and Basil

3 tbsp. butter
1 ½ cups Orzo
3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
6 tbsp fresh basil
3/4 to 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt/pepper to taste

Melt the butter over medium heat. Add the orzo and saute for a few minutes, until the orzo start to get golden brown.  Add the broth and cover and simmer for 20 minutes, until all the broth has been absorbed. Remove from the heat, add the basil and Parmesan and salt/pepper to taste.

Note: I do with long grain rice and works just as well.