October Menus 40 to 44 - Ingredient: Rice

Thank you all for the participation in last months Mexican theme, I was so happy to see the different takes on the chosen theme and I can tell that everyone is much more exited with the new club model.

But, before I let you on the October Menu.  We have a new member in the club – Andrea from Adventures in all things Food has joined our virtual kitchens. And if you have time, please give her blog a little visit and say “hi”.

Last month I choose the theme.  This month I decided to let luck picked our ingredient for the whole month.

And out came the most important staple food for a large part of the world’s human population, specially the East and South Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and West Indies.  It is the grain with the second-highest worldwide production, after maize (Corn).

Oh glorious rice!

So there you go – October recipes will all involved one common ingredient – Rice.  And for it not to get boring, I decided to give you all different techniques and/or themes in how to cook it.

You can cook any of the recipes that I suggested, or venture on your own, as long as you stay within the theme of the week

Ingredient: Rice

Week of Oct 2 - Theme: Unusual and out of the box Use 

• Rice Flour Pancakes
• Pumpkin Rice Laksa Soup
• Horchata
• Adas Polo (Persian Rice with Lentils) 

Week of Oct 9 - Theme: Stuffed into something or with something

• Creamy Risotto Layer Cake
• Tomatoes Stuffed with Rice
• Arancine (Saffron Rice Balls)
• Calas (Fried Rice Fritters)

Week of Oct 16 - Theme: All in one dish 

• Imperial Rice - Arroz Imperial 1 or Arroz Imperial 2
• Rice Salad or Tuna Rice Salad
• Butternut Squash and Rice Timbales
• Indonesian Coconut Rice with Chicken and Zucchini

Week of Oct 23 - Theme: Let’s make it Sweet!

• Swedish Rice Pudding
• Coconut Rice Fingers
• Rice Pudding Turnovers
• Rice Pudding Ice Pops  

Week of Oct 30 - Theme: What came first? The Risotto or The Paella? 

• Butcher’s Choice Risotto
• Fisherman’s Paella or Seafood Paella
• Cauliflower Risotto
• The Ultimate Paella

There you guys have it, hopefully I got your Gutsy-ness flowing and we will be treated to wonderful takes on any of the above themes.  Can not wait to start!

So are you guys ready? Get Set, and GO

Comments

[Andrea]

Thanks for the welcome, and I am thrilled to see my favorite ingredient! I lived in Asia for 4 years and just adore it. Sushi has to be my favorite way to prepare rice. ...I am also in love with a good vinegar. Can't wait to get cooking with all of you.

[Marie]

Wow, Monica--these are some fabulous-looking recipes! You're giving us lots of choices--just make sure you don't burn out with all your recipe-searching. But thanks so much for doing it. It'll be fun to try some of these out.

[lola]

An excellent choice - so much variety with many cuisines. It will be fun. Thank you for your hard work including recipe ideas.

[Monica]

@ Andrea - Welcome again! I can not wait for your first post!

@ Marie - I know I just went crazy.. but I tried to find something easy, and hard to vary the levels and also something fast and something complicated, just to keep you guys interested and on your toes! And it's no trouble at all, I'm loving the new format, gives me the possibility of so many choices!

@ Lola - You are welcome, I'm totally digging it.. the best part of me is trying to guess what everyone will graviate towards with the choices.

[Jiminycub]

I opted for the Middle Eastern dish this week.

http://yjdesserts.wordpress.com/2011/10/02/gutsy-cooks-club-adas-polo/

Raymond

[Andrea]

Sorry I am a bit late posting for the week!

I went with the Stuffed Tomatoes: http://adventuresinallthingsfood.blogspot.com/2011/10/gutsy-cooks-club-october-rice-stuffed.html

Stop by and take a peak! I am looking forward to the rice pudding dishes next.