Just in time

 

The few cookbooks left probably say much about me as a cook. Many were packed into towers of boxes yesterday, hidden from view for a week, to be lovingly categorized and alphabetized when released into their, and our, new home next weekend. On the soon-to-be-ex-kitchen counter sits a well-worn copy of The Cranks Bible; A Cook's Guide to Grains; two books by the eccentric Colin Spencer, who makes vegetable dishes I'd give both limbs for; Mark Bittman; Paula Wolfert's Moroccan Cuisine (because this post, has made me want to find the agar-agar flakes, quickly, and I think the almond milk came from her); that tofu book with the naff name and, naturally, Mr Nigel Slater. Whom I love. 

I didn't wish for much. A room for each child (actually, they're men now...); an office for Peter and a place where he can paint; a garden. Light, for me - photography is impossible without flooding natural light - and quiet, for us all. Oh, and a lemon tree.

All boxes are ticked.   

Handy, then, that as I sit in a house whose contents are rapidly being absorbed into boxes, Kathryn's Pantry Challenge has come along. Just in time. Frankly, the less we take, the better. It's gonna be a pantry-cleaning week. Brown rice, tinned tomatoes and smoked paprika. You will need a salad here, I think. Just a couple of handfuls of greenery and a few bitter leaves of witloof, dressed with mustard, honey, cider vinegar and oil. Or at least a whole lotta chopped parsley, 'cos parsley is worth the effort.

Tomato and brown rice paella for 2

No true Spaniard would entertain the idea of brown rice in his paella. But if Mark Bittman can suggest that brown rice, treated correctly, replaces white with excellent results, then I can too. Par-boiling is key. He claims that, and I quote, 'This is one of the most important "discoveries" that I made while researching this book'. He's on to something.

Soy sauce or tamari

1 cup of short or medium grain brown rice

1 x 400g (15oz) tin of whole tomatoes

1 onion

(3 cloves of garlic - optional)

Olive oil

1 teaspoon of smoked paprika

1/2 cup of frozen peas

Preheat the oven to 220^o C (450^o F). 

Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil, add about a tablespoon of soy sauce and tip in the rice. Stir and adjust the heat to keep a steady, simmering pace for 14-15 minutes. Drain the rice and set aside.

Meanwhile, drain the tomatoes over a bowl to collect the juice. 

Peel and chop the onion (and garlic). Heat 2 1/2 tablespoons of oil in a heavy-based frying pan that can also fit (and not melt) in your oven. Fry the onion (and garlic) until soft and golden. Add the paprika, stir and add the strained tomato juice. Let it bubble away for a few minutes, then add the par-boiled rice and stir for a few minutes longer.

Boil a kettle. Measure 2 cups of water and mix in a tablespoon or more, to taste, of soy sauce. Add the liquid to the rice, then the peas and stir until just combined. Roughly chop the tomatoes and scatter them on top. Drizzle with a little oil, then place the whole pan in the oven. Cook, undisturbed, for 20 minutes.

Turn off the oven, leaving the pan in there to 'rest' for another 10 minutes. 

Serve with salad.

 

I am very late with this, but over at Limes and Lycopene, Kathryn's Pantry Challenge continues until tomorrow morning. In by the skin of my teeth.

Comments

[Johanna]

Nice to see you making the most of your lovely light in your kitchen while you still have it - delighted to hear you have a new place with all boxes ticked (and sounds like many boxes packed) - good luck with the move and with emptying the pantry

[docwitch]

That looks lovely. It reminds me a bit of a dish I used to make years and years ago as a student, from a Moosewood book. It was called 'Spanish Rice', and I really must revive it, because it was a favourite.

So happy to hear that you have found an abode that is meeting your needs/wishes. Good luck with the move. Never fun.

[shula]

You ticked them all?!

Heavens, Lucy, there's hope for me, yet.

Well done, you.

[Ganga VegeYum]

Lucy, your writing becomes more and more wonderful. I love reading your blog. I am glad that you have found your next little piece of heaven. What great photos here, born of packing your life and planning the unpacking, no doubt.

I may not comment much these days, until Life calms again, but I visit and I read. Good luck with the moving weekend.

[Callipygia]

I am thrilled for you that you found your new home so quickly (so easy for me to say from here!)- I love the disassemblage/revisioning of life that happens in a move, can see it in your photos too. Even bringing about inspired meals like this...

[Ricki]

Best of luck with the move, Lucy! Hope it's everything you wished for on your list, and more. The garden, quiet, and lemon tree all sound perfect to me. :)

Will look forward to more poetry (in both words and images) from you in the new abode!

[Susan]

Agar agar flakes are a force to be reckoned with. I'm going w/ the powder next time.

Brown rice for paella? It's still Bomba. : }

[Lisa]

Best of luck with your move Lucy. I hope you enjoy your new home. Lovely dish and post, as always.

[kathryn]

Oh Lucy, lovely dish. Who would have thought you could make a paella from brown rice and what's in the pantry. He's a clever man that Mark Bittman.

Yet another very different meal for the Pantry Challenge. Thank you.

And good luck with the move. All boxes ticked? Phew.

[maybelles mom (feeding maybelle)]

yum for the paella. the utensils photos are really lovely; the sun has the warmth of springtime.

[Nora]

Hi Lucy,
All the best with the move and unpacking. I hate moving but it gives me an opportunity to "unclutter" my life.

We like brown rice so this paella sounds terrific to me.

x Nora

[mp]

Hello,
I've got some wholegrain rice, which says it is parboiled out of the box. Probably not the best rice in the world, but still, do you think somethink like this will work for this nice paella?

[Lucy]

Hi mp - I reckon it'd work a treat. Nadine Abensur (one of my favourite cooks) makes a paella using the par-cooked stuff and swears by it. I trust her enormously. Let me know how you go, will you?

[Lucy]

Hi mp - I reckon it'd work a treat. Nadine Abensur (one of my favourite cooks) makes a paella using the par-cooked stuff and swears by it. I trust her enormously. Let me know how you go, will you?

[Lucy]

Hi mp - I reckon it'd work a treat. Nadine Abensur (one of my favourite cooks) makes a paella using the par-cooked stuff and swears by it. I trust her enormously. Let me know how you go, will you?