Friday, June 28, 2013

Jeweled Golden Rice with Cherries


    
     Cherry season is an anxiously awaited event in my household.  Even though the price is dear, I can't resist stocking my refrigerator with the luscious ruby-red orbs, and keep a bowl on the counter for popping in my mouth every time I pass by. In addition to being delicious, they're a nutrition powerhouse, fiber rich and full of antioxidants. Way better than bon-bons for you, but with the same "curb appeal."

     This summer rice salad showcases both sweet (fresh) and tart (dried) cherries. I don't even know where to start describing it. Saffron and curry scented rice, tangy and sweet cherries, crunchy pistachios and cashews, bursts of celery and chives, citrus and ginger dressing- it all comes together perfectly to make a mouthwatering bite. It pairs perfectly with grilled chicken or pork, but will easily stand alone as a delightful vegan (and gluten free!) main dish.

Jeweled Golden Rice with Cherries
from Eating Well, June/July 2006

Ingredients
1 cup brown basmati rice
1 can (14 oz.) reduced-sodium chicken (or vegetable)broth
1/3 cup water
1 Tablespoon curry powder (your favorite)
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 generous pinch crumbled saffron threads
3 Tablespoons canola oil (I used walnut oil)
1/3 cup lemon juice
3 Tablespoons honey
1 Tablespoon freshly grated orange zest (I used dried)
1 Tablespoon minced fresh ginger (I grated the ginger)
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups chopped celery
3/4 cup coarsely chopped dried cherries
1/2 cup chopped scallions or chives, divided
1 cup fresh dark sweet cherries, pitted and chopped
3/4 cup unsalted nuts, chopped -pistachios, almonds and cashews recommended- divided

Instructions
1. Combine rice, broth, water, curry powder, turmeric and saffron in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil,stir once, cover with a lid. Reduce heat to low (simmer) and cook until the liquid is absorbed, about 35 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered 5 minutes. Fluff with fork.

2. Combine oil, lemon juice, honey, orange zest, ginger and salt in a large non-reactive bowl. Stir in the cooked rice, celery, dried cherries and 1/4 cup chives or scallions. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. (up to 2 days)

3. To serve, fold fresh cherries and 1/2 cup nuts into the rice mixture. Serve at room temperature, garnished with the remaining 1/4 cup scallions/chives and nuts.

33 comments:

  1. Don't even bother to try and describe it. I'm making it. Our cherries are in and, so far, we've eaten them too quickly to do anything with them. I'll pick up some extras at tomorrow's market and attempt to hide them until I can make this salad--Sunday?

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  2. I adore cherries too :) And this recipe sounds perfectly amazing! Yum, yum yum - have a great weekend!

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  3. Lots of big flavors in this rice and it's a very pretty color too:@)

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  4. I LOVE this recipe! simply gorgeous ingredients - I could live on this food :))
    Mary x

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  5. Oh Betty, you have outdone yourself! This sounds absolutely divine! Methinks your thumb has recovered well!

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  6. I'm with you on the cherry love- they are the best! Your rice dish looks just delicious- love it as a side dish but also just by itself for dinner :-)
    Have a wonderful weekend :-)

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  7. I definitely need to get this in my life while cherries are in season! THey are one of my favorite fruits after all!

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  8. OMG! I am ever so jealous of your fresh cherries! That is indeed a plate of jeweled golden rice. I love eating basmati rice and having it with cherries sounds really good!

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  9. So much deliciousness in one dish!! I'd love to try this!

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  10. I can't pass up cherries either. My recipe today uses dried cherries, but next month hopefully I'll be posting at least one recipe using fresh!

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  11. I LOVE cherries in my salad and this one looks SO pretty!!

    Sues

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  12. This seems like the perfect accompaniment for any number of dishes.

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  13. Lots of ingredients but it sounds perfectly wonderful and worth it. I love cherries too and they rarely make it past the eating-out-of-hand stage but I'm going to try.

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  14. i love cherries in every form and i always get so excited when they're in season. this is a great use for dried cherries, which i have on-hand all the time. i MIGHT be able to part with some fresh cherries for this too. :)

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  15. What an interesting recipe! I've never tried cherries with rice before but I have sultanas and currants and I'd imagine it's very similar :D

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  16. This sounds so good...I have the cherries but I have to run to the store for the curry powder.

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  17. This salad just sounds packed full of flavors! I adore cherries too and love them in salads! Great photo too Betty!

    Roz

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  18. Thanks for this fantastic recipe.
    I love the combination of textures and flavors, so cool!

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  19. I love cherries so much that I've actually cracked a tooth eating them too quickly that a caught a pit between my teeth! This sounds wonderful and less hazardous :).

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  20. I'm a big fan of fresh cherries, but not so much cooked so this salad is perfect for me. This rice dish sounds and looks fantastic.

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  21. Fresh cherries in rice...wow...I totally love the combo of flavours.

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  22. I just came in from viewing your berry pound cake...Mumm...and now cherries with rice...interesting combo! I honestly would have not thought of putting these together. If I can spare a few cherries...I will certainly have to give your recipe a go. Something different at the table is always welcomed ;o)

    Betty, I hope your having a swell summer so far.
    Take care and flavourful wishes,
    Claudia

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  23. Oh, my. I love rice that's chock full of yummy ingredients...and the idea of adding fresh cherries is divine! Please pass the bowl my way!!!

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  24. Your jeweled rice, is a JEWEL...so refreshing and so summary awesome with the fresh cherries. I missed your Berry Pound Cake, and now that I just spotted it, I'm really craving that as well. Great job on both, Betty. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  25. I love rice salads and curry. This sounds sensational. I didn't realize Eating Well has been around so long. This is a salad I will be making soon. I love all the ingredients.

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  26. I am a huge fan of summer salads. They are so light and so fresh. Thank you for adding this recipe. I am anxious to get to try it. I love cherries so I imagine that this will be nothing less than delicious.


    http://online-phd-uk.co.uk/

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  27. Your Jeweled Golden Rice with Cherries is gorgeous. I love the complex flavor from the spices in the rice and the freshness from the cherries. :) Can't wait to make this.

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  28. Cherries! My ultimate favorite fruit. They are a pretty price here too-still so worth it.
    This is beautiful.

    Velva

    P.S. so funny that you should write about one of your children doing beekeeping and then moving halfway across the country-that is what mine is getting ready to do too (sigh)

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  29. What a beautiful side dish. I love cherries too, and I am always looking for new ways to enjoy it (both sweet and savory!) Thank you for sharing with me.

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  30. I can't make the meet-up this weekend but so wish I could. My weekends are often booked a long time in advance - unfortunately. Are you going?

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  31. Wow, rice with cherries? I would have never thought of that combination, I'm intrigued!

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  32. Yum! That sounds so good! I never would have thought of that combo, but it sounds awesome!

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Thanks for stopping by scrambled hen fruit! I appreciate all of your comments and look forward to reading them.

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