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You are here: Home / rice / A Turtle! & Fragrant Jasmine Rice

A Turtle! & Fragrant Jasmine Rice

August 24, 2009 By Laura 4 Comments

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I know I probably wax poetic pretty often about living where we do, but bear with me–it is still pretty new and exciting. Anyway, what’s the latest exciting, my-yard-is-better-than-any-classroom discovery? The turtle my friend spotted ambling across our backyard while she and her kids were over for a playdate! And a turtle is better than a frog any day because it actually stands still (albeit terrified, most likely) while your kids check it out! He stuck his head in his shell and pretty much refused to come out but otherwise was immobile. We eventually convinced the kids to leave him a carrot and leave him alone, so he could move on–but oh the excitement in the meantime!


I sometimes get caught up in thinking that all blog dishes must be exciting, unique, complicated… but this is really silly since tasty but simple food has an even greater role in any busy person’s life. I found this side dish when I was searching for something to serve with a broiled fish (a fish which failed so maybe you will hear about it when I get it right!). The fish was vaguely Asian in nature, but certainly not traditional. Because I was focusing on the fish, I did not want to get involved in a complicated side dish. I also wanted to keep the side dish as low in fat as possible, which pretty much ruled out a fried rice dish.

This Fragrant Jasmine Rice is aromatic with herbs, sweet with pineapple and savory with a drizzle of soy sauce and fish sauce. The ending toppings are not shown in the picture, because I started fiddling with my second serving, after I was done taking pictures. This dish would perfectly complement any Asian main dish which does not generate enough sauce to really work well with plain jasmine rice.


Fragrant Jasmine Rice
Adapted from Moosewood Restaurant’s Low Fat Favorites

2 cups jasmine rice, rinsed clean
2 t vegetable oil
1 stalk of lemongrass, trimmed at each end and smashed with blunt handle of knife and sliced into 3 inch pieces (if it falls apart, place to remaining pieces in cheesecloth)
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 fresh long but skinny red pepper (Anaheim, for exs), seeded and minced (to heat preference-use hotter chile if desired)
1/4 t salt
1 cup crushed pineapple (I used 1 can of chunks that was processed without juice)
2 1/2 scant cups water

garnish:
3 T Thai or purple basil
drizzle of fish sauce (to taste)
drizzle of soy sauce (to taste)
1-2 T fresh lime juice (to taste)
pinch of sugar (to taste)

Drain the rice thoroughly from rinsing and set aside.

In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the garlic and cook until toasty light brown and fragrant. Add the minced pepper and lemongrass (only pieces not in cheesecloth bag). Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the pineapple and cook another 3 minutes, stirring. Add salt and rice. Stir thoroughly. Add the water (and any lemongrass in a cheesecloth bag if you have some) and bring quickly to a boil (use high heat). Once it is boiling, cover and reduce heat to low to simmer. Let simmer for 15 minutes, then turn heat off and let rest for 5 minutes.

When it is done, uncover and fluff. Add the basil and mix in. The other garnishes either do in the pan or let people individually do to taste. Serve.

Filed Under: rice

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Comments

  1. HoneyB says

    August 24, 2009 at 6:46 pm

    I love that your still have the excitement of your home! The turtle is awesome and your photos turned out great! I love the rice dish too – will be bookmarking it for when I am making a fish dish (yes, I am copying YOU!) 🙂

    Reply
  2. Vicci says

    August 24, 2009 at 9:36 pm

    Laura, I was looking for a rice dish to serve with grilled shrimp and this looks like a winner!

    More excitedly, though, is your discovery of a box turtle. 🙂 A few times I have pulled off the side of the road to help one "cross" (there seem to be a lot of them on the back roads leading to our lake house).

    Check out some info about the species at:
    http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/midorcas/research/Contribute/box%20turtle/boxinfo.htm

    Reply
  3. That Girl says

    August 25, 2009 at 2:13 pm

    I always think it's fun to discover wildlife in your backyard! We have rabbits and lizards. When we were in Kauai we were fascinated by the geckos, frogs, sea turtles, and roosters. Everywhere you go it's different animals!

    Reply

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Hi! I’m Laura and I am a recovering history major who has re-channeled all of my passion for learning about the history of different countries to learning about their food culture. That doesn’t mean every dish on here is strictly authentic, but it does mean that even my adaptations are not undertaken lightly. My goal is to show you–by doing–that these dishes are possible in your kitchen. Including desserts because I have quite the sweet tooth! Read More…

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