Thanksgiving Rice Recipes The Best Holiday Rice Recipes Around the World

As the holiday season approaches the majority of cooks at home and culinary enthusiasts are drawn to warm and festive dishes to celebrate with family and friends. Rice is a popular ingredient that is used in a variety of cuisines around the world. Rice offers a variety of options to cook delightful and delicious holiday meals. From colorful Christmas rice to savory pilaf and delicious casseroles, we'll explore a myriad of holiday rice recipes which will bring warmth and flavor to your festive dinner table. Learn more at RiceArray.org

Christmas Rice: A Colorful Celebration

Christmas rice is a festive and vibrant dish that brings holiday cheer to any meal. This recipe pairs delicious rice with vibrant peppers to create a delicious and visually attractive food item.

Begin by cooking your rice as in the directions on the package. While the rice cooks, saute diced green and red bell peppers along with onions and garlic in olive oil. Add bouillon, Italian seasoning and mixed spices to the mixture to give it a warm taste. Once the rice has been cooked, mix it in with the veggies and spices.

Try adding raisins or dried cranberries to the mixture of rice for an extra festive touch. These sweet morsels will not only enhance the dish's festive appearance, but will also give a burst of flavor that compliment the flavorful elements.

Cilantro Lime Rice: A Zesty Holiday Side

While cilantro lime rice is not typically associated with holidays, it offers a zesty and refreshing alternative to the heavier holiday meals. This rice dish can be enjoyed with a wide range of main dishes and provides a bright, citrusy note to the menu for your holiday meal.

To prepare cilantro lime rice, cook long-grain rice in water or vegetable stock. After the rice is cooked, you can fluff it and add finely chopped cilantro lime zest, lime and lime juice. It's a light, aromatic rice dish that will balance richer holiday foods and add a refreshing taste to your meal.

Momma's Holiday Rice: A Comforting Casserole

Momma’s Holiday Rice will satisfy those who want an easy, delicious rice dish. This casserole recipe mixes rice with a flavorful mix of beef consomme, French onion soup and mushrooms. It's an incredibly satisfying and hearty side dish.

To prepare this delicious dish cook butter in a casserole dish and include canned soups, uncooked rice and water. Top the mixture with slices of mushrooms and almonds before baking until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is soft. The result is a smooth, savory rice casserole that's sure to become a popular holiday dish.

Wild Rice Pilaf - A Nuts and Festive Side

This delightful mix of flavors, textures and hues is perfect for holiday dinners. The dish usually combines wild rice with dried fruit, nuts, and aromatic herbs, resulting in a complex and satisfying dinner dish.

To create a festive wild rice pilaf, cook a mixture of white and wild rice in chicken or vegetable broth. While the rice is cooking, saute onions, carrots, and apples in butter. Once the rice is cooked you can add it to the vegetables you've sautéed. Include dried cranberries, and chopped pecans. Additionally fresh herbs like rosemary or parsley. The rice dish is delicious and visually appealing.

To make it a bit more interesting, try making use of dried cherries instead cranberries and adding some sauteed mushrooms for a rich flavor. This recipe is a breeze to adapt to your personal preferences and can be a great accompaniment to any main dish.

Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole: A classic for crowd-pleasing

A cheesy casserole is a must for any holiday meal. The Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole is an iconic recipe that incorporates broccoli, rice and a rich cheese sauce, making it a favorite among both adults and children.

To make this dish that will please the crowd prepare rice and broccoli separately. Create a cheese sauce in an enormous pan with butter, onions and cream of chicken soup. Transfer the broccoli and rice into a casserole dish then combine the sauce with the cooked rice. Sprinkle on more cheese and a crushed potato chip for more crunch. Bake until the rice is golden brown and bubbling.

The dish isn't just delicious, but also an excellent way to incorporate vegetables in your holiday meal. It's also suitable for children. The smooth texture and delicious taste make it a perfect option for any holiday dinner.

Louisiana Dirty Rice - A Spicy Southern Tradition

Louisiana Dirty Rice will satisfy those who prefer a rich, delicious rice dish. This classic Southern recipe blends rice with vegetables, ground meat, as well as a mix of spices for a savory and satisfying food item that can stand on its own as a main dish.

For making Dirty Rice, start by browning a mixture of ground pork sausage and beef in a large pan. In the meantime, add diced bell peppers, onions, and celery - referred to as the "Holy Trinity" in Louisiana cooking. Then, season the dish with the blend of spices and herbs including oregano, thyme, chili powder, and cayenne pepper for a bit of heat. Mix flour and the chicken broth to create a"roux. Then, add the cooked rice as well as fresh parsley.

The rice dish is incredibly flavorful and comes with a "dirty", slightly smokey appearance due to the cooking process that browns the meat and spices. The versatile Dirty Rice is a great choice to serve as a side dish to be served alongside a wide range of dishes, or as a stand-alone dish.

Brazilian Christmas Rice A Taste of Tropical Festivals

Take a look at Brazilian Christmas Rice for a fresh take on holiday rice. This festive meal is made up of champagne, raisins, and cashews for a sweet and savory mixture that's very widely consumed in Brazil during the Christmas season.

Start by soaking the raisins in champagne. Add the rice, onions and garlic to olive oil and toast lightly. Rice is cooked by adding champagne and water from raisins soaked in the wine. Mix in the cashews and raisins following the rice has been cooked.

This dish provides a delicious combination of flavors and textures and flavors, with the sweet raisins, balancing the nuttiness of the cashews, and the delicate sparkle of champagne. This dish is an excellent method to bring a hint of Brazilian Christmas tradition to your Christmas menu and give it an exotic flavor.

Perfect Holiday Rice Dishes Tips and Tricks

No matter which recipe for holiday rice you decide to use, here are some tips to make sure that your rice dish comes perfect:

1. Rinse your rice Rinse your rice before cooking in order to eliminate any excess starch. This will give you fluffier rice.

2. Follow the ratio to cook rice properly.

3. Let it rest: After cooking, let your rice sit for 5-10 mins before fluffing and serving to ensure even distribution of water.

4. Try your hand at grains Don't be afraid to mix different varieties of rice or grains for various textures and flavors.

5. Season rice Rice is a good source of flavor. well and is a great choice for cooking, so don't shy from using seasonings.

6. Preparing ahead It is possible to prepare many rice dishes in advance. This will help you save time during the holiday dinner.

Conclusion

Holiday rice recipes offer a world of possibilities to make delicious and festive dishes that are perfect for any meal during the holiday season. You can choose a bright Christmas rice, a cozy casserole, or even a spicy Southern classic, there's a rice dish to suit any style and taste.

These rice recipes will add new textures and flavors to your holiday menu while respecting the culinary traditions of around the globe. From the vibrant Christmas rice to the decadent Momma's Holiday Rice and the exotic Brazilian Christmas Rice, these dishes are guaranteed to provide warmth, comfort, and delicious flavors to your holiday table.

What better way to create a meal that becomes an annual tradition for your family during the time of year? These recipes and suggestions will assist you in creating the perfect holiday dish of rice which your guests and family will enjoy.