Rice & Broth

It is a cold, snowy day here and comfort food is on my mind. Rice and potatoes are two of my favorites, especially when prepared in chicken broth. Consider substituting broth or half broth and water for recipes that call for water. You may need to decrease the amount of salt to compensate for this change.

I prepared a simple rice dish using Jasmati rice and chicken broth. Jasmati rice is soft and flavorful. While homemade stock is amazing, use canned broth for a quick and easy substitute. Many are on the market. Most are low in fat. Some have low sodium and some are organic.

Rice in Chicken Broth

Basic Ingredients:

2 cups chicken broth
1 cup Jasmati rice (or white rice)
1 pinch of salt
1 pinch fresh ground pepper
1 chopped scallion (white and light green parts, reserve chopped green parts for garnish)
1 tablespoon of butter (optional)

Makes approximately 4 servings.

Preparation

Add broth, salt and pepper to a medium sauce pan. Bring to a simmer. Add rice, butter and scallions, stir once, and cover for 20 minutes. Remove lid, and fluff rice with a fork. Serve topped with chopped green scallions (optional).

Embellishments (one or more of the following):

Feel free to experiment to meet your individual taste preferences. The butter is optional, but makes for a richer flavor; however, it is perfectly flavorful when left out. Take advantage of what you have in your pantry or refrigerator. Use dried herbs if you don’t have fresh on hand. Use this as an excuse to buy fresh herbs if you haven’t done so before. Most grocery stores sell small packages of fresh herbs in the produce section.

1-3 tablespoons of fresh parsley, basil, chives, or dill
1 teaspoon of your favorite savory dried herb (basil or chives)
1 clove of garlic, smashed with the side of a large knife

Potatoes Cooked in Broth

Next time you boil potatoes, consider using broth. The last time I made mashed potatoes, I boiled russet potatoes in chicken broth. Fill the pan to one inch below the surface of the potatoes with broth or half-broth and half-water. Add one or two smashed cloves of garlic (optional). Boil for approximately 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft when poked with a fork. Remove from the heat and mash with the broth in the pan. Season with salt, pepper, butter (optional) and fresh chopped parsley, cilantro or dill (optional).

Summary

Broth enhances the flavor of some of your favorite dishes, without adding additional cooking time or complicated ingredients. While chicken broth is a favorite, consider using beef or vegetable broth. Make broth one of your pantry staples so it's always on hand. Neither of these dishes needs much attention while cooking and both take minimal prep time. Enhancing food's flavor with broth instead of butter or sour cream is a great way to reduce calories. Enjoy these tasty comfort foods!