Christmas rice is a popular side dish we make in Trinidad and Tobago for theholidays. It is a flavorful, colorful rice dish. Great for the festive season.This delicious dish will bring you the holiday spirit that you are longingfor.
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Most people I know love a tasty rice dish. A variety of rice dishesis very common in the Caribbean. Some are rice with meat and some includevegetables, just like the Christmas rice.
I am not really a fan ofvegetables growing up. But thankfully, my mother did not give up encouraging meto eat healthy food.
This Christmas rice recipe is a mixture ofsteamed rice, vegetables, and ham to make it tasty and savory! Perfect for theholiday season.
This aromatic rice dish is a fancier version of mycalypso rice recipe.
Ingredients for Christmas Rice
It may look complicated but the ingredients for this are pretty simple.
Take in some special notes for these specific ingredients:
- Long grain rice - I always use long grain rice to cook my dishes. It stands up better to additional cooking.
- Coconut oil - Coconut oil adds some additional flavor to this dish. Versus using another like vegetable oil. But you can use what you have on hand
- Black olives - I know not everyone likes black olives, but it really adds some saltiness to combat the sweet. Everything combined is an explosion of flavor.
- Diced ham - you can use the cubed ham that sells in groceries. Or if you have already done a baked ham for the holidays, cut off and chop up some of that.
- Sweet peppers - try to use ones that are bright so like red, yellow, orange
Equipment
Large nonstick pot
Vegetable chopper
Cutting board
How to make the tasty and savory Christmas Rice
Did you know that this type of rice dish is so easy and quick to make?With a little patience and some basic kitchen skill, you can make this recipe inno time.
Please make sure you have everything ready to go before starting on the stove.Prep time is probably the most work for this dish
Boil your rice with whatever process you prepare rice; on the stove or in yourrice cooker. It does not matter.
Once the rice is done, drain andset aside.
I actually prefer to use stale rice, as I do for fried rice. So I might boil myrice the night before.
Heat the stove on medium heat. Then, add halfof the coconut oil to your pot to heat through.
Add onions, garlic, celery, bell peppers, and ginger, and sautéuntil the onions are opaque.
Add the grated carrots and mix for twominutes. I like to add the carrots now so that it can get rid of some of theliquid it created while it was grated and sitting.
Once that is done, add in your cubed ham and cook until heated through.
Add soy sauce and the cooked rice and combine well. Cook until rice is incorporated with everything.
Remove from heat and add in raisins, cranberries, and black olives.
Garnish with roughly chopped parsley.
What can I serve with Christmas rice?
Christmas rice can be a stand-alone dish since it is already tasty andflavorful. But it is nice to pair it with turkey, meat, or fish.
Somegreat options are:
- Stew lamb
- Roasted fish
- Roasted chicken
- Stew chicken
Storage and reheating of Christmas rice
This rice dish can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up tothree days.
To warm up, throw in a microwaveable bowl and warm up for45-second spurts until warmed through.
It can also be put to freezein airtight bags. To warm up from the freezer, defrost in the fridge overnightthen warm up in the microwave.
Substitutions
- Oil - Though I prefer to use coconut oil, you can also use ghee, olive oil, or canola oil to free things up. You can also use sesame oil to add flavor later down.
- Rice - Don't like parboiled rice? Easily replace with brown or jasmine rice. You can also try some yellow rice, and give it a nice Spanish look.
- Meat - don't want to use ham, try any other meat you prefer, chicken or turkey. You can also use minced meat or bacon.
- Onion - Instead of white onion try using some red onion instead.
Additions
The good thing about this dish is that you can defiantly put in what youlike. Just try to make it colorful and mix the sweet and a bit salty.
- Sweet corn kernels.
- Green peas.
- Crushed walnuts.
- Red rice or any colored rice is also used. Some people will also add food coloring (red and/or green food dye) to make it more festive. After boiling the rice, separate it in half, add a few drops of each color, and mix in.
- Hot pepper - if you want to add a spicy flavor.
- Chadon beni - use this instead of or along with the parsley.
- Red onions.
- Pickled beets - they sell these in jars. They are small round balls. Cut them in half. Add them when adding the raisins at the end.
- Scallions
- Whole cashews
Check out some other rice recipes:
- Rice and red peas
- Saltfish and rice
- Haitian mushroom rice
- Okra rice
- Pumpkin rice
- Saffron rice
And some amazing Christmas sides
- Macaroni pie
- Provision pie
- Potato salad
- Coo coo
- Crab and callaloo
