Thanksgiving Rice Recipes The Best Holiday Rice Recipes Around the World

As the season of Christmas approaches the majority of home cooks and foodies turn to comforting and festive foods to share the joy with family and friends. Rice is a popular ingredient in many cuisines around the globe. Rice offers a variety of options to create memorable and delicious festive meals. Explore a variety holiday rice recipes including festive pilaf, Christmas rice, and savory to indulgent casseroles. Learn more at RiceArray.org

Christmas Rice: A Festive Celebration

Christmas rice is a vibrant and festive dish that brings joy to any dinner. This recipe blends soft rice with vibrant bell peppers to create a visually appealing and flavorful side dish that's perfect to serve with your holiday feast.

To prepare Christmas rice, start by cooking long-grain or basmati rice according to package instructions. While 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. When the rice is cooked, mix it with the sauteed vegetables and seasonings.

Consider adding raisins or dried cranberries to the mix of rice to add a festive flavor. The sweet pieces are not just a part of the festive appearance of the dish, but they add a burst of flavor.

Cilantro Lime Rice: A Zesty Holiday Side

Although it is not typically associated with the holidays, cilantro lime rice offers an exciting and zesty alternative to the heavier holiday food. This rice dish can be enjoyed with a 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. After cooking, you can fluff the rice, then mix in finely chopped fresh lime zest, cilantro and lime juice. The fragrant, light rice dish is a great way to balance out richer holiday dishes and add the taste of a cleanser to the meal.

Momma’s Holiday Rice - A Comforting Casserole

Momma’s Holiday Rice will satisfy those seeking an easy, delicious rice dish. This recipe makes use of rice and a mixture of French onion soup and beef consomme to create an extremely satisfying and delicious dinner dish.

To prepare this delicious dish cook butter in a casserole dish. Then include canned soups, uncooked rice and water. Add sliced mushrooms and almonds to the mixture, and bake until liquid has been taken up. It's a delicious, savory rice casserole which is certain to become a holiday favorite.

Wild Rice Pilaf - A Nuts and Festive Side

Wild rice pilaf provides an amazing combination of textures and flavors that is ideal for holiday dinners. This recipe typically blends wild rice with dried fruits, nuts, and aromatic herbs, creating an interesting and delicious food item to serve as a side dish.

For a festive wild-rice pilaf recipe, combine wild and white rice with chicken or vegetable broth. While the rice cooks prepare the onions, carrots and apples in butter. Once the rice is tender add it to the vegetables you've sauteed. Add dried pecans, cranberries, and fresh herbs like rosemary and parsley. This makes a rich, flavorful rice dish that's both visually appealing and delicious.

To make it a bit more interesting, try using dried cherries instead of the cranberries, and add sauteed mushrooms for a rich flavor. This recipe is a breeze to adapt to your preferences and will complement any main dish.

Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole A crowd-pleasing classic

A cheesy casserole is a must-have for any meal during the holiday season. This classic dish blends rice, broccoli, and a rich sauce made of cheese. It is loved by both adults and children.

For this popular dish, prepare the broccoli and rice in separate portions. In a large pan, create the cheese sauce by using onions, butter, cream of chicken soup and processed cheese. Combine the cooked rice and broccoli with the cheese sauce, then transfer the mix to an oven-proof dish. Top with additional cheese and crushed potato chips for a crunch final, and bake the dish until golden and bubbly.

This casserole is not only delicious, but it is also a fantastic option to incorporate vegetables into the holiday menu in a kid-friendly format. The smooth texture and delicious taste makes it a soothing dish to serve at any table during the holidays.

Louisiana Dirty Rice: A Spicy Southern Tradition

For those who like a heartier, more savory rice dish, Louisiana Dirty Rice is an excellent choice. This classic Southern recipe is made with rice, ground meat, vegetables and a mix of spices for a flavorful and delicious side dish that is able to serve on its own as a main dish.

Begin by cooking ground sausages and beef in a large pot. In the meantime, add diced bell peppers, onions, and celery, which is known as the "Holy Trinity" in Louisiana cooking. Add a mixture of herbs and spices including cayenne, oregano and thyme to the mix for heat. Mix in flour to make the roux, and then add broth from the chicken and simmer. In the end, mix in the cooked rice as well as fresh parsley.

This deliciously flavorful rice dish comes with an "dirty" somewhat smokey appearance due to the cooking process that browns the meat and spices. The incredibly versatile Dirty Rice can be enjoyed as a side dish that can accompany a variety of main dishes or stand alone.

Brazilian Christmas Rice: A Taste of Tropical Festivals

For a unique twist on holiday rice, consider trying Brazilian Christmas Rice. This festive dish blends champagne, raisins and cashews to create a sweet-salty combination. It's a favorite in Brazil during the Christmas season.

To prepare Brazilian Christmas Rice begin by soaking the raisins in champagne. Sauté sliced onions and garlic in olive oil, then add the rinsed rice and gently toast it. The rice is cooked using water and champagne from the raisins that have been soaked in wine. After cooking, mix in the plumped raisins as well as chopped cashews.

This dish provides a delicious mix of flavors and textures and flavors, with the sweet raisins, balancing the nuttiness of the cashews as well as the subtle effervescence from the champagne. It's the perfect method to introduce a flavor of Brazilian Christmas traditions to your holiday table and add a touch of exotic to your festive meal.

Perfect Rice Dishes for the Holidays Tips and Tricks

Here are some suggestions for the perfect rice dish, regardless of the rice recipe you select:

1. Rinse the rice Rinse your rice before cooking to remove excess starch and achieve fluffier results.

2. Use the right ratio: Follow the ratio of liquid to rice carefully to cook rice properly.

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

4. Playing around with grains Do not be afraid to mix different rices or grains to get various flavors and textures.

5. Season rice: Rice absorbs flavors well and is a great choice for cooking, so don't shy away from adding seasonings.

6. Prepare ahead : You can prepare numerous rice dishes ahead of time. This will help you save time during your holiday meal.

Conclusion

Rice recipes for the holidays can be a fantastic way to create festive delicious and tasty dishes that make a great addition to any holiday dinner. There's a rice dish for any flavor, whether you like an appealing Christmas meal, a hearty rice casserole or even a fiery Southern classic.

The rice dishes will provide new textures and flavors to your festive menu while respecting the traditional culinary practices of all over the globe. These recipes, ranging from the festive Christmas rice, to the delicious momma's Holiday Rice to the exotic Brazilian Christmas Rice will bring comfort and delicious flavours to any holiday table.

This holiday season, why not explore the versatility of rice and create a memorable dish that could be a new tradition for your family? These tips and recipes can help you prepare the perfect holiday meal of rice that your family and guests will be delighted with.