RICE PLATTER RECIPES

Steps:

• If serving rice in fresh pineapple, halve the pineapple lengthwise, leaving the leafy top intact and cutting through it. Hollow out each half, reserving 1 cup of the fruit for the rice and extra for garnishing. Save remaining pineapple for another use. Make a small slice on the outside of each half to create a flat base to hold the pineapple steady. Set aside.
• Crumble the cold rice between your fingers to separate the grains, and set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a wok or large skillet, swirling to coat the pan. Add the onion and toss until soft, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and toss until fragrant and soft, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add the ginger and toss for another minute.
• Add the remaining tablespoon of oil, then add the rice. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes over high heat, then add the beans, tomatoes, and pineapple, and fry 2 to 3 minutes more. Add the fish sauce and sugar, and toss until ingredients are well combined and rice is heated thoroughly, about 5 minutes. Add the green onions and toss to combine. Remove from the heat and transfer to a serving platter, or if using fresh pineapple, fill each half of prepared pineapple with warm rice and garnish with extra chunks of pineapple.

Steps:

• Please note that most of the quantities of the salad ingredients can be adjusted as desired.For the maple mustard dressing:Place all dressing ingredients in a small bowl and use an immersion blender to blend until smooth and emulsified. If you don't have an immersion blender, place all dressing ingredients in a jar or container with a tight fitting lid and shake until emulsified. Just know that the dressing will not be as smooth.For the salad:First, cook the wild rice. Heat a medium to large sauce pan over high heat. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Stir in wild rice and salt. Turn heat down to low/medium-low, cover, and simmer until wild rice is split open and curled. This should take right around 1 hour. If you see a good amount of wild rice still not split open, simmer for another 15 minutes. Remove from heat and drain any excess liquid. Fluff with a fork and set aside.Fry bacon in a skillet over medium heat, until chewy-crisp. Remove bacon from skillet and drain on a paper-towel-lined plate. Once cool, chop into bite-sized pieces.Place apple slices in a bowl and squeeze some lemon juice over them. Toss a few times to coat. This will help them to not brown as quickly.To assemble the salad, place a layer of greens on the bottom of selected platter. Then arrange the rest of the ingredients as desired. Serve with maple mustard dressing on the side.Note: The ingredient possibilities are nearly endless for a salad like this. If you don't like pecans, use pistachios, walnuts, or almonds. Pears would be lovely instead of the apples. Goat cheese would be nice if blue cheese isn't your thing. And prosciutto would be a good substitute for the bacon.