Edamame, Walnuts & Dried Cranberries with Lemon-Ginger Scented Rice (2 Banana Difficulty)

So, normally when I stop into my local Asian market, I buy a plethora of Edamame.  Luckily, edamame also goes quite nicely in Rice dishes.  In this one, the Cranberries add a nice sweetness to the sauteed garlic and onions.  It is pretty straight forward, so let's get started!

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED:

1.5 c Medium Brown Rice

3 c Boiling Water

3 teabags Lemon-Ginger Herbal Tea (optional)

16 oz Edamame Kernels

4 quarts Boiling Water
3 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 Red Onion - chopped

3 Cloves of Garlic - chopped

1/2 c Dried Cranberries

1/2 c Walnuts - coarsely chopped
Kosher Salt & Ground Black Pepper to taste

 HERE'S WHAT YOU DO:

*1.  Steep the 3 bags of Tea in 3 c of Very Hot (NOT BOILING) for 5 min, then remove the teabags*

2.  Bring the Tea infused water to boiling & add the Medium Brown Rice

3.  Reduce heat to low & Simmer COVERED for 20 min (or per instructions if using a different type of rice
4.  Add the Edamame Kernels to the 4 Quarts of Boiling water & Reduce heat to Medium

5.  Cook Covered for 5 min & drain in Colander

6.  Heat the Olive Oil to Medium High, add the Red onion & Saute for 5-7 min

7.  Reduce the heat to Medium, add the Garlic, Cranberries, & Walnuts.  Saute for 3-5 min.

8.  Combine Rice, Edamame, & Onion/Garlic/Cranberries/Walnut

9.  Salt & Pepper to taste

Viola!  There you have it.  An easy, creative Rice & Edamame dish that 'anymonkeycan' make!

 OTHER THOUGHTS:

Using the tea is totally optional.  It just adds another dimension to your rice and let's me refer to the rice as "Lemon-Ginger Scented" haha!  You could use other varieties of your favorite tea or perhaps just a green tea for an extra health benefit.

This tastes good as is, but sometimes I'll sprinkle some sort of Parmesan cheese on it, or drizzle some Olive oil or soy sauce etc on it before serving.

Use your imagination!

Orzo with Roasted Bell Peppers and Edamame (2 banana difficulty)

I like edamame (soybeans) especially the steamed edamame coated in salt you get at a sushi restaurant.  Well, the individual edamame kernels go nicely with rice and pasta dishes.  In this recipe 'this monkey' has chosen to use whole wheat orzo pasta since the cook time is equivalent to that edamame kernels.  Let's get started!

WHAT YOU NEED:

2 c Whole Wheat Orzo Pasta

2 c Edamame Kernels (frozen)**

2-3 Bell Peppers (Red and/or Yellow work best for Roasting)

1/2 Red onion (1/2" slices)

1/2 c Dried Cranberries

1/2 c Walnuts (Roughly chopped)

Balsamic Vinegar

Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Kosher Salt (to taste)

Freshly Ground Pepper (to taste)

**If you are lucky enough to live near an Asian grocery store, then buy the Edamame there since it will be relatively cheap.  Some nicer/specialty grocers will carry Edamame, but it may not be worth the price.  I believe frozen peas would be a good substitute.**

WHAT TO DO:

1.  Start Roasting the Peppers -- http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2011/03/roasting-peppers-1-banana-technique.html 

2.  Coat the sliced onions & grill over Medium High heat 3-5 min per side. 

3.  Bring 2 quarts (8 c) of water & 1 t of Salt to a rapid boil in a large pot & add Orzo & Edamame.  Cook until Orzo & Edamame are tender (5-8 min)

4.  Strain the Orzo & Edamame in a colander, then immediately mix in the Dried Cranberries.

(Adding the Cranberries here will soften & warm them)

5.  Chop up the Roasted Bell Peppers & Grilled Onions
6.  Mix everything in a large bowl
7.  Serve (Hot or Cold) drizzled lightly with the Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar, a sprinkle of the Walnuts as well as a pinch of Salt & grind of Black Pepper. 

Personally this dish is best served cold!

OTHER OPTIONS:

Feel free to saute the peppers and onions instead of the Roasting process
Sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese

Well, there you have it.  A unique & easy tasty pasta dish that 'anymonkeycan' make!