CRISPY RICE RECIPES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil.
• Place the rice in a large bowl, rinse with cold water and drain in a colander until the water runs totally clear. Drain well.
• Add the rice to the pot and boil until the grains are soft on the outside but still hard at the center, about 6 minutes. Drain the rice and rinse under cold water.
• Measure out 1 1/4 cups of the parcooked rice and transfer to a bowl; stir in the yogurt, the 1 tablespoon melted butter and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Melt the oil and the remaining 1 tablespoon butter together over medium-low heat in a 2- to 3-quart nonstick pot with a tight-fitting lid. Add the yogurt rice and spread it evenly to cover the bottom of the pot. Add the remaining rice, mounding it into a pyramid shape. Insert the handle of a wooden spoon into the mound 3 or 4 times to make vents for steam to escape. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook until the rice starts to steam, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pot, first with a clean towel and then with a lid. Steam until the rice is fully cooked and a golden brown crust has formed on the bottom, about 50 minutes.
• Spoon the loose rice onto a platter, then use a firm spatula to remove the crust from the pan. Top the rice with the crust and sprinkle with the parsley and sumac if using. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Bring water and salt to a boil in a large stockpot over high heat. Meanwhile, place rice in a colander and rinse with cold water until water runs clear, about 1 minute.
• Add rinsed rice to boiling water. Reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring occasionally, until rice is almost tender, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain rice and immediately rinse with cold water until rice is room temperature, about 1 minutes.
• Place 1 cup cooked rice in a medium bowl with sour cream; stir to combine. Heat 2 tablespoons butter and oil in a well-seasoned 10-inch cast iron or nonstick skillet over medium-low heat until just melted. Spread rice and sour cream mixture in an even layer in bottom of skillet.  Spoon remaining cooled rice on top, being sure to mound rice slightly towards the center, while still allowing rice to touch edges of skillet. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke 6 to 7 holes in the rice, going all the way to the bottom of the skillet to allow steam to escape. Cook 15 minutes, turning skillet on burner a quarter turn every 3 to 4 minutes to ensure even browning.
• Cut remaining butter into small cubes. Add butter cubes around edges of rice and in steam holes after 15 minutes of cooking. Continue to cook over medium-low and turn skillet a quarter turn every 3 to 4 minutes until bottom and sides of rice are golden and crisp, another 15 to 18 minutes.
• Remove from heat and cover skillet with a large plate or serving platter (right side down). Carefully but swiftly (and with confidence!) invert rice in skillet onto serving plate. Serve warm.