Rice Pilaf with Chorizo Casserole
Chorizo over rice pilaf combined with veggies makes a flavorful casserole to serve now or reheat later.
Ingredients
- A generous pinch of saffron threads (about 20 threads)
- 2 cups chicken stock, divided
- 1 cup water
- 1 1/4-1 1/2 pounds Spanish-style chorizo, such as Gaspar's or Trois Petit Cochons brand
- Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), for drizzling
- 1 large Spanish onion, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup drained chopped pimentos or diced piquillo peppers
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1/3 cup dry sherry or 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1/2 cup broken thin spaghetti (1 to 1 1/2-inch pieces)
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 1/2 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
Preparation
Put the saffron in a small pot with 1 1/2 cups stock and about 1 cup water. Bring to boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and let steep for a few minutes while you prepare the chorizo and onions.
Heat a skillet with a tight-fitting lid over medium-high heat. Remove the casings from the chorizo and slice about 1-1 1/2 inches thick, on an angle. Add a drizzle of EVOO to the hot skillet and add the chorizo. Brown evenly on both sides, 4-5 minutes total. Remove the chorizo to a plate and add another drizzle of EVOO to the skillet along with the onions. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the pimentos and peas and stir to heat through. Deglaze the pan with sherry or wine and stir for 1-2 minutes. Remove them from the pan to the plate with the chorizo.
Return the pan to medium heat and melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. Add the pasta and stir until deeply golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the rice and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan and cook for 18 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork.
Grease a casserole with the remaining 1 tablespoon of softened butter. Fill the casserole with cooked rice and top with an arrangement of the chorizo and onion mixture. Cool and chill as a make-ahead meal. Reheat by dousing the casserole with the remaining 1/2 cup chicken stock, then put it in pre-heated 375°F oven, loosely covered, for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until heated through and barely crispy at edges, about 10 minutes. Top with parsley and serve.
