Thanksgiving Rice Recipes The Best Holiday Rice Recipes Around the World

As the holiday season is approaching the majority of home cooks and foodies are drawn to warm and festive dishes to celebrate with friends and family. Rice is a popular ingredient in many cuisines around the world. Rice offers a variety of options to cook memorable and delicious holiday meals. From festive Christmas rice, to pilaf with savory flavor and delicious casseroles, let's look at a range of holiday rice recipes that add warmth and flavor to your table. Learn more at RiceArray.org

Christmas Rice: A Festive Celebration

Christmas rice is a festive and vibrant dish that adds festive cheer to any dinner. This recipe blends the fluffy rice with vibrant bell peppers, making an attractive and tasty side dish that is perfect for your holiday spread.

Start by cooking the rice as per the package instructions. While the rice is cooking in the oven, cook diced red, green and yellow bell peppers in olive oils with garlic and onions. Season the mixture with the bouillon powder Italian seasoning, and a touch of mixed spice for added warmth. Once the rice is cooked, mix it with the veggies and spices.

Consider adding raisins or dried cranberries to the mixture of rice for an extra festive flavor. The sweet ingredients not only add to the festive look of the dish, but they also give it a burst of flavor.

Cilantro Lime Rice: A Zesty Holiday Side

Although cilantro lime rice is not typically associated with holidays, it offers a zesty and refreshing alternative to heavier holiday food. This rice is a great match for many main dishes and adds an orange-colored, bright flavor to your menu for the holidays.

To prepare cilantro lime rice, cook long-grain rice in water or vegetable stock. After the rice is cooked, it is time to fluff it and add finely chopped cilantro lime zest, lime and lime juice. The result is a light and fragrant rice dish that can help balance the richer foods of the holiday and can add a cleansing element to your meal.

Momma’s Holiday Rice - A Comforting Casserole

If you're looking for a hearty and comforting rice dish, Momma's Holiday Rice is a perfect recipe. This recipe makes use of rice and a mixture of French onion soup and beef consomme to make an incredibly satisfying and filling side dish.

This delicious dish is prepared by melting butter in a casserole, and adding canned soups as well as rice that hasn't been cooked and water. Add sliced almonds and mushrooms to the mix, and bake until liquid has been absorbed. The result is a creamy, savory rice casserole that is sure to become a popular holiday dish.

Wild Rice Pilaf - A Nuts and Festive Side

Wild rice pilaf is an exquisite mix of flavors and textures which is perfect for festive meals. This recipe is typically prepared with wild rice, dried fruits, nuts and aromatic herbs.

To make a fun wild rice pilaf, boil a mix of white and wild rice in chicken or vegetable broth. While the rice is cooking, saute carrots, onions, and apples in butter. When the rice is cooked, combine it with the vegetables that have been sauteed and add dried pecans, cranberries and chopped pears and fresh herbs such as rosemary and parsley. The rice dish is tasty and visually appealing.

Try substituting dried cherries instead of the cranberries, or adding sauteed mushrooms to the dish for a more earthy taste. This recipe is easily modified to suit your taste preferences and complement your main course.

The popular classic, Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole

There is no holiday dinner without a comforting, cheesy casserole. The Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole an iconic recipe that incorporates broccoli, rice as well as a delicious cheese sauce which makes it a popular choice among both adults and children.

To make this dish that will please the crowd, cook rice and broccoli separately. Create a cheese sauce in an enormous pan with onions, butter, and the cream of chicken soup. Combine cooked rice and broccoli in the cheese sauce then transfer the mix into an oven-proof dish. Serve with cheese and crushed potato chips to give it a crispy finish, then bake the dish until golden and bubbly.

This dish is not only delicious, but it's a good way to include vegetables in your holiday meal. It's also suitable for children. The creamy texture and the cheesy taste make it a perfect addition to any holiday meal.

Louisiana Dirty Rice - A Spicy Southern Tradition

Louisiana Dirty Rice will satisfy those who like a more filling, tasty rice dish. This Southern traditional recipe mixes ground meat, vegetables and spices to make a tasty and delicious food item.

Begin by browning ground beef and sausages in a large pan. Add diced bell peppers, onions and celery - known as the "Holy Trinity" in Louisiana cooking. Mix a variety of herbs and spices including cayenne, oregano and thyme to the mix to heat. Mix in flour to make an roux. Add chicken broth and cook. Then, add cooked rice and fresh parsley.

This deliciously flavorful rice dish comes with the appearance of a "dirty" and slightly smoky appearance due to the browning of the meat and spices. The incredibly versatile Dirty Rice can be served as a dish served with a side of meat to complement many main dishes or served as a stand-alone.

Brazilian Christmas Rice A Taste of Tropical Festivities

For a unique twist on holiday rice, you should try Brazilian Christmas Rice. This festive meal combines cashews, raisins, and champagne to make a sweet and salty mix. It's a favorite in Brazil during the holiday season.

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

The dish is a wonderful combination of flavors, textures and aromas. The sweetness of the raisins offsets the richness and subtle bubbly of champagne. This is a wonderful method to bring a hint of Brazilian Christmas traditions to your holiday menu and also give it a unique flavor.

Tips for Perfect Rice for the Holidays Dishes

Here are some helpful tips to make the perfect rice dish, no matter which rice recipe you pick:

1. Rinse your rice Rinse your rice prior to cooking to remove any excess starch. This will result in more fluffy rice.

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 the process of faffing or serving. This will ensure that the moisture is evenly dispersed.

4. Experiment with grains Don't be afraid to mix different kinds of grains and rice to create varied textures and flavors.

5. Season well Rice is a sponge for flavor and absorbs it perfectly, so don't feel uninformed about your seasonings and spices.

6. Make a plan ahead It is possible to prepare many rice dishes in advance. This will save you time when it comes to your Thanksgiving meal.

Conclusion

Recipes for holiday rice are a great recipe for creating festive delicious and tasty dishes that be a perfect match for any holiday meal. There's a rice recipe to suit any flavor, whether you like an appealing Christmas meal, a hearty rice casserole or a spicy Southern traditional.

The rice dishes will bring new textures and tastes to your festive menu while honoring the culinary traditions of around the globe. These recipes, ranging from the festive Christmas rice, to the delicious Mama's Holiday Rice to the exotic Brazilian Christmas Rice will provide comfort and delicious flavors to any table during the holidays.

This holiday season, why not take advantage of the versatility of rice and create a memorable dish that might just be a new family tradition? With these ideas and recipes at hand, you'll be well-equipped to create the perfect holiday rice recipe that will delight your family and friends and make your holiday meals even more memorable.