Take advantage of the flavorful season with these delicious Holiday Rice Recipes.

A lot of home cooks, culinary experts and food lovers turn to festive and comforting dishes when the holiday season is approaching to enjoy their families and loved ones. Rice, which is a ingredient in many cuisines can be used in a variety of ways for creating memorable and delicious holiday dinners. From colorful Christmas rice to delicious pilaf and delicious casseroles, let's explore a myriad of holiday rice recipes that will add the warmth and taste to your table. Learn more at RiceArray.org

Christmas Rice: A Bright Celebration

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

Start by cooking your rice as per the package instructions. As the rice is cooking prepare the diced red, green and yellow bell peppers in olive oil with onions and garlic. Add the bouillon, Italian seasoning and mixed spices to the dish to provide warmth. Once the rice is cooked, add it to the vegetables that have been sauteed and seasonings.

Try adding raisins or dried cranberries into the mix of rice to add a festive flair. The sweet pieces not only add to the festive look of the dish, but can also add a zing 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 option to heavy holiday food. This dish goes well with various main dishes and provides an orangey, bright note to your holiday menu.

To prepare cilantro lime rice, cook long-grain rice in water or vegetable stock. Once cooked, fluff the rice before adding finely chopped fresh cilantro, lime zest, and lime juice. This light, fragrant rice dish can be served to offset the richer holiday dishes and add a palate cleanser element to the food.

Mama's Holiday Rice: A Comforting Casserole

For those looking for a flavorful and comforting rice dish Momma's Holiday Rice is a perfect recipe. This casserole recipe uses rice as well as a blend of French onion soup and beef consomme to make an extremely satisfying and delicious side dish.

This indulgent dish is made by melting butter in a casserole, and adding canned soups, rice that has not been cooked, and water. Add sliced almonds and mushrooms to the mix, and bake until the liquid has been absorption. The result is a smooth rice casserole with a delicious flavor which is certain to become a favorite during the holidays.

Wild Rice Pilaf - A Nuts and Festive Side

Wild rice pilaf offers an exquisite combination of textures and flavors that is ideal for holiday dinners. This dish is typically made with wild rice and dried fruit, nuts, and aromatic herbs.

For a festive wild-rice pilaf recipe, mix white and wild rice with chicken or vegetable broth. While the rice cooks, saute carrots, onions, and apples in butter. Once the rice is tender add it to the sauteed vegetables and add dried cranberries, chopped pecans, and fresh herbs like rosemary and parsley. This rice dish is both delicious and visually appealing.

If you want to try something different, think about making use of dried cherries instead cranberries and adding some sauteed mushrooms for an earthy flavor. This recipe is easily modified to suit your taste preferences and can be a great complement to your main meal.

Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole: A classic for crowd-pleasing

A holiday meal is not complete without a comforting, cheesy casserole. This classic dish is made up of rice, broccoli as well as a delicious sauce made from cheese. It is adored by both adults and children.

For this crowd pleaser make the rice and broccoli separately. Create a cheese sauce in an enormous pan with onions, butter and chicken soup cream. Transfer the rice and broccoli into a casserole dish and then mix the sauce in with the rice that has been cooked. Include more cheese and a crushed potato chips for more crunch. Bake until golden brown and bubbling.

The dish isn't just delicious, but also good for incorporating vegetables into your holiday menu. It's also a great option for kids. Its creamy texture and cheesy flavor make it a great addition to any holiday meal.

Louisiana Dirty Rice - A Spicy Southern Tradition

For those who like an energizing, more flavorful rice dish, Louisiana Dirty Rice is a great choice. This Southern classic recipe blends ground meat with vegetables and spices to create an incredibly delicious and satisfying dinner dish.

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. Include a mix of herbs and spices including cayenne, oregano, and thyme to the mixture to heat. Stir flour into the chicken broth to create the roux. Then, add the cooked rice as well as fresh parsley.

The result is a richly flavored rice dish with the slight "dirty" appearance due to the spice mix and the brown meat that is why the name. The scrumptious Dirty Rice can be enjoyed as a side dish that can be served alongside a wide range of dishes, or as a stand-alone dish.

Brazilian Christmas Rice A taste of Tropical Festivities

Take a look at Brazilian Christmas Rice for a different version of holiday rice. This festive meal combines champagne, raisins and cashews to create a sweet-salty combination. It is popular in Brazil at the holidays.

To prepare Brazilian Christmas Rice begin by soaking the raisins in champagne. Saute sliced garlic and onions in olive oil. Then, add the rinsed rice, and then lightly toast it. The rice is cooked by adding champagne and water from raisins that have been soaked in wine. Once it is cooked, stir into the raisins that have been plumped and chopped cashews.

This dish is a delightful mix of flavors, textures and aromas. The sweetness of the raisins balances the richness and subtle bubbly of the champagne. It's the perfect way to bring a taste of Brazilian Christmas customs to your holiday table and add some exotic flavor to your festive menu.

Perfect Holiday Rice Dishes Tips and Tricks

Whatever holiday rice recipe you choose for your holiday rice, here are some helpful tips to make sure your rice dish comes out perfectly:

1. Rinse your rice Always rinse the rice prior to cooking to get rid of any starch. This will result in smoother rice.

2. Make sure you use the correct ratio Use the ratio of liquid to rice carefully for properly cooked rice.

3. Rest After cooking rice, let it rest for 5-10 minutes prior to fluffing or serving. This will ensure that the moisture is evenly dispersed.

4. Playing around with grains Don't be afraid to mix different rices or grains to get a variety of flavors and textures.

5. Season rice: Rice absorbs flavors well and is a great choice for cooking, so don't shy away from seasonings.

6. Do it ahead Rice dishes can be partially or completely prepared ahead of time which will save you time on the day of your meal for the holidays.

Conclusion

Rice recipes for the holidays provide a myriad of options to create delicious, festive dishes that will go well with any meal during the holiday season. There's a rice recipe for any flavor and preference, whether it's a colorful Christmas dish or a warm rice casserole or a spicy Southern classic.

By incorporating these diverse rice recipes in your holiday menu, you can add new flavours and textures to your holiday spread while honoring traditional culinary practices from all over the world. From the vibrant Christmas rice to the decadent Momma's Holiday Rice and the exotic Brazilian Christmas Rice, these dishes will surely bring warmth, comfort, and delicious flavours to your table during the holidays.

Why not create a dish that will become a family tradition this festive season? These tips and recipes can help you prepare the perfect holiday meal of rice that your family and guests will enjoy.