KAREN’S SPECIAL BROWN RICE RECIPE
I rarely share recipes with you guys. Perhaps that’s because I never used to cook. As I told Johnny Carson in one of my Tonight Show appearances, (that re-ran on some obscure channel last month,) “My mother taught me how to not cook. Then guys take you out to dinner.” I was basically joking about that, because only one date ever asked me to cook for him, anyway, (in my first week in LA as a teen-ager, when I didn’t know any better. But of course I didn’t do it! I went on my first date with Mr. X instead!) My little mo wasn’t proficient in the kitchen, so I did inherit that inability.
But, since my mini-stroke nine months ago, I’ve had to learn. When you have to be very careful about what you eat, for drastic medical reasons, you have to take it very seriously. And, trust me, I do. We read every label now, and shop very carefully. Because I’m still so in love with restaurants, I do go out to them occasionally, but not even close to as much as I’ve always done. And, since I eat mainly salads when dining out, (because I can’t trust strangers to tell me the truth about their ingredients,) I haven’t reviewed a restaurant since “the episode.” (I plan to again, because I always have a posse with me when I review, anyway. I just haven’t had the time in awhile.)
Mr. X has really helped-out in the culinary. He taught himself how to grill chicken, swordfish, vegetables, and even potatoes. He even followed my recent instructions of how to make turkey burgers, (the process of which I was just making-up as I went along!)
Most of what I cook comes from internet recipes. Or even from vegetable or turkey packages. But occasionally, I come up with one myself, which I get really proud of when they work.
And this is one of those times. I make microwave brown rice on occasion, and, although it’s good for me, it’s more than boring. (I usually make it only when I have fresh salsa on hand, to spice it up.)
But recently, when Mr. X was planning to grill up some fish the next day, (yes—I always have to plan the next day’s meals now—welcome to real life!,) I felt that we needed something more special to go along with it. So, I actually gave it some brain power as I was on my way to sleep.
And I came up with a top secret recipe that was so delicious that I just had to share it. (Making it not such a secret recipe after all, right?) And it’s simple. I’m pretty sure you have all the ingredients on hand, anyway, (expect perhaps, for the main one—the instant brown rice!)
So, here it is. (I made it for two people, but next time, I’ll double everything. And, I’m not great with amounts—I rather go by feel. But this time, I measured the items, just to control it.)
INGREDIENTS
1 cup microwaveable instant brown rice (a store brand is the same as a name one)
1 cup water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 chopped walnuts
1/4 cup chopped onions
1/2 teaspoon rosemary
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon basic Mrs. Dash
DIRECTIONS
Combine instant brown rice, water, oil, parsley, and black pepper in a microwave-safe dish.
Cover with microwave-safe lid.
Heat in the microwave for 7 minutes. Remove from oven, and stir in the onions, raisins, walnuts,
rosemary, thyme, and Mrs. Dash. Return the cover, and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir and serve.
Notes: All spices and fun ingredients are optional, or can be replaced. You can use craisins in place of raisins, pecans rather than walnuts, omit onions if you’re not fan, and change or omit all spices. And you can use more or less of those items, as well. But this original recipe was perfect just the way it is, so I’d stick with it, if you can. Mr. X and I are both very picky eaters, with different tastes, and we both went nuts for it. He said it’s “restaurant quality,” and is already asking when we can have it again. For me, there’s no better endorsement than that!
Enjoy!
