Rice dish

Cajun-style jambalaya

A one-pot savory rice dish that falls within the definition of pilaf / pilau (rice cooked in broth), jambalaya derives its flavors from Cajun seasoning, Andouille sausages and the holy trinity of onion, celery and bell pepper. Unlike its Creole counterpart, Cajun jambalaya contains no tomatoes. The meats are seared and the browned bits that stick to the pan give the dish its distinctive color.

Cook time: 40

Servings: 8 people

Chicken and sausage rice (arroz con pollo y chorizo)

Cut-up chicken marinated in sour cream, slices of chorizo, vegetables, rice and broth simmer together to make a tasty one-bowl meal. Easy enough to cook on a weekday and, at the same time, fancy enough to serve for a not-so-ordinary occasions.

Cook time: 45

Servings: 6 people

Yaki onigiri

If you think that rice can’t be a stand-alone dish, yaki onigiri will change your mind.

And, get this, adding butter to yaki onigiri during the last stage of cooking adds a lovely layer of richess to the rice.

Cook time: 5

Servings: 4 people

Smoked salmon and furikake onigiri

Chopped smoked salmon, black fungus, furikake and toasted sesame seeds were mixed with Japanese rice to make onigiri. Eat one for a snack; more for a full meal. Smoked salmon and furikake onigiri makes a lovely party dish too!

Cook time: 20

Servings: 16 small onigiri

Cranberry and pistachio pilaf

Long-grain rice is cooked in bone broth with dried cranberries, toasted pistachio nuts and golden raisins. A squeeze of lemon juice gives the dish just the right balance.

Cook time: 20

Bacon and wakame onigiri

Cook Japanese rice the usual way, season a la sushi rice, stir in chopped rehydrated wakame, crispy bacon and toasted sesame seeds, season with a little salt then press into an onigiri molder.

Cook time: 20

Servings: 4 people