Tag Archives: Rice

Gina’s Healthier Surf & Turf Fried Rice

Surf & Turf Healthier Fried Rice
Surf & Turf Healthier Fried Rice
Gina’s Healthier Surf & Turf Fried Rice

I had some cooked brown rice in the fridge, scallions, and one pound of frozen large pink shrimp. I thought they would make a perfect base for a fried rice. Since I was feeding a hungry crowd, I needed more protein and some veggies to complete the dish. I contemplated using chicken, but instead I got 2 New York Strips steaks to create a decadent surf & turf fried rice. I started by using olive oil to pan fry the steaks, then I switched to sesame oil for the rest of the cooking. Use a wok, a cast-iron or large heavy-bottom pan. You will cook most of the ingredients separately, then combine all of them toward the end.

Level of difficulty: Intermediate Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked brown rice 
1 tbs. olive oil
1.1/4 lbs. New York Strip steaks (2)
sesame oil as needed for stir frying
1 small red bell pepper, cut in julienne
3-4 scallions, + some for garnish
sprinkle of salt, optional for veggies
1 (16)-ounce frozen large pink shrimp
1/4 tsps. freshly grated ginger
1 tbs. lower sodium soy sauce
freshly ground pepper to taste
6 ounces of bean sprouts

Preparation:

1. Heat olive oil on medium-high heat and sear the meat on both sides until desired doneness. Mine was medium rare, so, it took about 8-10 minutes. After the first 3 minutes, keep flipping it. Cover to accelerate cooking, be sure not to overcook. Adjust level of heat as needed. Set aside.

2. In the same pan, add some sesame oil, pan fry peppers and scallions until desired tenderness. Set aside.

3. Add more sesame oil as needed, stir fry the shrimp, about 3-4 minutes. Set aside.

4. Add the rice, ginger, soy sauce, black pepper, bean sprouts, veggies, steaks and shrimp to the pan. Stir fry until the rice is hot. Taste for seasoning. Adjust as needed. Do not add any more salt! I added the steak and shrimp on top for the photo styling. Garnish with scallions.

Wine pairing suggestions: Gewürztraminer, off-dry Riesling, Moscato D’Asti or a light-bodied Pinot Noir.
Please let me know if you will try this recipe. Should you have any questions, kindly let me know.

Bon Appetit!

Gina Martino Zarcadoolas
Food & Wine Blogger, Sommelier Level 2
WSET Level 2 certified.
Cookbook Author: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures
Italian Wine Scholar
Website: www.foodiewinelover.com
Email: gina@foodiewinelover.com

Arroz con Pollo – Rice with Chicken

Arroz con Pollo

Arroz con Pollo

Arroz con Pollo

 

Arroz con Pollo is popular in Spain, Cuba, and other Latin countries. I have been making this dish for years and I always like to experiment with the ingredients. I have used chicken broth in the past but, this time I didn’t think it was necessary since there’s already an explosion of flavors from the exotic spices and the tropical fruitiness of the beer. I can say with certainty that I finally mastered this recipe.

Serves: 6 to 8 – Level of difficulty: Intermediate

 

Arroz con Pollo

Marinade for the chicken:

8 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin on salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon oregano
¼ teaspoon cumin
¼ teaspoon paprika
1 lime, juiced +more for garnish
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped.

  1. In a large bowl, season the chicken with salt and black pepper liberally. Add oregano, cumin, paprika, lime juice, olive oil and onions. Mix well. Marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes. For a longer amount of time please, keep it refrigerated.
  2. Pre-heat oven to 350°F.

For the rice:

3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more if needed
1 teaspoon garlic, chopped
¼ teaspoon paprika.
2 pinches of saffron threads, about (½ gram)
1 teaspoon tomato paste
1 regular (12-ounce) beer
2 cups long grain rice
1 1/2 – 2 cups water (depending how moist you like the rice)
½ cup frozen peas, thawed
1 small red bell pepper, julienne
cilantro or flat-leaf parsley for garnish
hot sauce on the side, optional

3. Heat olive oil, preferably in a 15-inch Paella pan or an extra-large (oven proof) skillet, on medium-high. Sear the chicken for about 3 minutes on each side or until it is golden-brown in color. Lower the flame if necessary. Remove and set aside. Do not taste it as the chicken is still raw at this stage.

4. In the same pan, add more oil if needed, brown the onions from the marinade for about 1 to 2 minutes, add garlic, cook for 1 minute, add paprika, saffron, tomato paste, cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes. Deglaze with the beer. Add the rice, stir, and water. Bring to a boil. Lower the flame to low, place the seared chicken on top of the rice, sprinkle the peas and arrange the peppers. Turn the burner off. Cover the pan with foil.

5. Bake in the oven for at least 45 minutes or more, depending on your oven. The rice should come out moist and packed with flavors. Garnish with cilantro or flat-leaf parsley. Serve in the same pan, with some hot sauce on the side.

Hope you make this one-pan meal for your loved ones, and if you do, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Wine pairing suggestions: an Albarino,  white Rioja, Verdejo or a light to medium-bodied Pinot Noir.
A beer is wonderful alternative to wine for this dish.

Until then, have a wonderful summer!

Buon Appetito!

Gina Martino Zarcadoolas
Food & Wine Blogger, Sommelier Level 2
WSET Level 2 certified.
Cookbook Author: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures
Italian Wine Scholar
Website: www.foodiewinelover.com
Email: gina@foodiewinelover.com

 

Middle Eastern’s Style Rice

Lebanese-Style Rice

This Middle Eastern’s style rice dish will jazz things up by adding a festive touch to a celebration dinner. It will grace your table and make the perfect accompaniment to any main dish. The recipe can be divided to feed fewer people.

Difficulty level: easy to intermediate
Serves 6-8 as a side dish

Ingredients:

3 cups long-grain rice or Basmati
6 cups lower-sodium chicken broth*
3 tbs. olive oil (+ more to drizzle (optional)
1/4 lb. angel hair, broken in pieces
Salt to taste
4 ounces of pine nuts, toasted separately
Flat-leaf parsley for garnish

Preparation:

In a large bottom pan with a lid, heat oil over medium-high heat, fry the noodles until golden brown (be careful not to burn them) add the rice. Add the chicken broth and salt. Stir once, bring to a boil, lower to the flame to the lowest setting. Cover and simmer for about 18 minutes. Remove from the burner. Let it sit for 4 minutes covered. While the rice is cooking, toast your pine nuts in a pan on medium heat until golden brown. Remove. Set aside.

Fluff the rice with a fork, place on a platter or tray, garnish with toasted pine nuts, and parsley. Drizzle with olive oil.

Always read the cooking instructions on the rice packages. The ratio for liquid to rice varies depending on the brand and/or variety. This decadent side dish complemented a filet mignon in a cream peppercorn sauce to perfection.

Middle Eastern's Style Rice

Middle Eastern’s Style Rice

 

This dish contains nuts!!! Please be aware of allergies. I hope you will try this dish, and when you do, please let me know how much you enjoy it.

Happy New Year from Gina’s Kitchen to Yours!
Gina Martino Zarcadoolas, aka Foodiewinelover
Culinary Personality, Food & Wine Blogger
Author of the cookbook: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures: https://foodiewinelover.wordpress.com/product/cookbook/
Level-2 Certified world-renowned – “WSET: Wine, Spirit, Education, Trust”
Level-2 Certified Sommelier & Italian Wine Scholar Student (Unit 1 completed)
Winner of 2019 Italian Wines “Salice Salentino USA Bloggers” Award, held in Puglia, Italy
Brand Strategist

Curry Shrimp with Rice, Don’t Forget the Riesling!

Curry Shrimp with Rice

A couple of times a week, I cook for a small crowd, and I generally use a one-pot meal because it makes life so much easier. Today, I am making Curry Shrimp with Rice. Grab your apron and follow me in Gina’s Kitchen. This recipe is a Covid-19 edition, using some frozen ingredients and what’s available at the time. I think, all in all, it’s healthy and somewhat affordable. 

Curry Shrimp with Rice

Curry Shrimp with Rice


Serves: 6-8   –  Level of difficulty: Easy to intermediate

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • 2 pinches of garlic powder
  • 2 cups Jasmine rice
  • 1/2 – 3/4 cup mixed frozen veggies: carrots, green beans,
    corn, peas and lima beans, thawed
  • 3. 3/4 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 pounds small frozen shrimp, already peeled and deveined,
    remove the tails, thawed.

    Preparation    :

    1. In a large heavy-bottom pan (with a tight lid) over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Sauté onions for 1-2 minutes, add curry powder, garlic powder, stir fry for another 2 minutes. Add the rice. Stir a couple of times.
    2. Add the veggies, water, salt, pepper. Stir well. Arrange the shrimp on top. Bring to a boil. Lower the flame to the lowest setting. Cover tightly and simmer for about 20-25 minutes.

    There may be some rice stuck on the bottom of the pan. It’s perfectly fine and adds crunchiness to the dish. Serve it in the pot. The idea is to make cleaning easier.

    Curry Shrimp with Rice paired with Riesling

    Curry Shrimp with Rice Paired with Riesling


    Wine pairing suggestion    :  An off-dry Riesling or any dry white wine of your choice.

    This curried shrimp dish is begging for a refreshing wine to pair with it. I choose an aromatic and delicious German Riesling from the Mosel region. Rieslings are food-friendly and pair very well with curry, seafood, spicy, and Thai dishes.

    The mineral character in this wine exhibits a great depth of flavor and is a perfect complement to this meal. This Riesling is off-dry and showing a touch of sweetness with crisp acidity; it intertwines perfectly with the intoxicating flavors of the curry.

    I hope you will try this delectable and easy dish and share your experience with me.

    Happy cooking and happy sipping!

    Gina Martino Zarcadoolas, aka Foodiewinelover
    Culinary Personality, Food & Wine Blogger
    Author of the cookbook: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures
    Level-2 Certified world-renowned – “WSET: Wine, Spirit, Education, Trust”
    Level-2 Certified Sommelier
    Winner of 2019 “Salice Salentino USA Bloggers” Award
    Exclusive photos by Gina Martino Zarcadoolas
    All rights reserved.

Back To My Roots, A Delicious Greek Cookbook

Spanakorizo

Back To My Roots
Krystina Kalapothakos is a chef with a Greek soul, as she puts it. She blogs over at Kouzounas Kitchen.  Kouzouna is her grandmother’s maiden name, and not to be confused with Kouzina, which means kitchen in Greek. I met her online a little over a year ago, via a Twitter friend.  She is the founder of a wonderful group on Facebook called: Foodify.  We follow each other on social media, and share each other’s recipes with our audience.  Krystina is inspired by her yiayia, (grandma in Greek), who left her legacy, along with some traditional Greek recipes. That’s where Krystina gets her passion for cooking, and baking.  She has some delectable recipes on her blog, but recently decided to put together her first cookbook. Although, it’s been a lifelong dream of hers, it took her a little less than 3 months to put it together. I admire her commitment, determination, and love for Greek cuisine.  I got a copy of her cookbook, and was pleased with the heartwarming story she shares with us, along with some delightful, and authentic dishes. It didn’t take me long to try her Spanakorizo, Rice with Spinach. I made it in my kitchen, and it was an instant hit with my family. Today, I will share with you, this delicious Greek dish from her newly published cookbook, Back To My Roots, Sharing Recipes From The Villages Of Greece.

Spanakorizo (Spinach & Rice)

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound of fresh spinach (If you are using swiss chard, you can do half swiss chard & half spinach)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped fresh onion
  • 1 leek finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
  • 1 lemon (reserve juice and zest)
  • 1/4 cup fresh chopped dill
  • 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil
  • 1/4 cup fresh chopped mint
  • 1.5 teaspoon dried Greek oregano
  • 1 cup Basmati rice
  • 3 cups water
  • 1.5 tsp sea salt
  • 1 Pinch ground cumin
  • 1 pinch black pepper
  • Balsamic Vinegar (Reserve for the finish plate)

Method:

  1. Heat olive oil in large pan over medium heat.

2) Saute onions and leeks until they become translucent. (About 5 minutes.)

3) Add garlic, and sauté for 1 minute.

4) Add lemon zest, dill, basil, mint, oregano, cumin, swiss chard, and spinach. Cook until the spinach has wilted down.

5) Stir in the rice, and water. Bring to a boil.

6) Reduce the heat, and place the lid over the pan. Let the rice cook for approximately 20 minutes.

7) When the mixture has cooled, stir in the lemon juice and balsamic vinegar.

Enjoy with some fresh Feta over the top.

I highly recommend this cookbook, and Krystina is in the process of getting it on Amazon. In the meanwhile, if you are interested in owning one, please email her, at kouzounaslive@gmail.com, write “cookbook” under subject, and she will get back to you. This would make a lovely Christmas, Hanukkah, or birthday gift.

Krystina Kalapothakos

Krystina Kalapothakos

Meet Krystina Kalapothakos, the name behind the lovely blog, Kouzounas Kitchen.

Follow her on Twitter: —–> KouzounasKitchen
Follow her on Facebook: —>KouzounasKitchen

I want to thank her for her generous contribution to the culinary world, and for featuring my shrimp Saganaki in her cookbook. I hope you will try this recipe, and get her book.

Update: 3/11/2016 – Since this blog post, Krystina has published her book on Amazon and you can obtain a copy by clicking on this link: http://www.amazon.com/Back-My-Roots-Krystina-Kalapothakos/dp/0692638679/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456905437&sr=8-1&keywords=krystina+kalapothakos

Spanakorizo

Kali Orexi (Bon Appetit) in Greek

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