rice surprise!

...it's what's for lunch!

Hey there! On Tuesdays I share easy lunch recipes for paid subscribers. To me, lunch recipes are especially simple to make and simple to clean-up.

Of course you can make the recipe for any mealtime that you’d like! I always include a number of helpful notes for paid subscribers (i.e. ways to make vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free versions of the recipe and other fun notes/ideas).

Want today’s recipe + thorough list of variations/notes?? Become a paid subscriber today!

Backstory for today’s recipe!

Last week I was chatting with

ashley molesso

and

chess

(of Ash + Chess and Everywhere Shop in Kingston, NY) and the topic of cheesy rice came up (as it does) and they both said: “like rice surprise!” And I asked them what “rice surprise” was and they told me it was something they used to make often that they haven’t made in a while and it consists of rice, whatever else you have kicking around, and a lot of cheese.

Rice surprise!

Maybe it was the name, maybe it was the fun conversation, but I just could not get rice surprise out of my head.

So I went home and turned a container of leftover rice, a head of broccoli, and a package of Boursin (Garlic & Fine Herbs!) into the most delicious lunch in very little time and using just a single skillet.

The besttttttt

The result had slightly risotto vibes, almost like mac-and-cheese but with rice. Grace and I ate the whole thing in one sitting.

I love dishes like rice surprise: the kinds of things with short-hand names that families (however you define family) make regularly and are part of the routine. The things you might not necessarily make if you were having people over, but anyone who you had over would probably love it just as much as you do. The kind-of thing that gets passed down.

So today, for paid subscribers, I share: RICE SURPRISE! just how I made it the other day, plus a list of ideas if you:

• Do not have cooked rice on hand

• Are curious about frozen broccoli instead of fresh

• Can’t fathom a meal without more protein in it

• Would like ideas for alternates for the rice, the broccoli, and the cheese

• Are vegan

• Would rather have this as a side dish and are wondering what to serve it with

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Question for you!

But I also want to know: what’s your rice surprise? What’s a thing that’s part-of your routine, a way to use up leftovers, a thing you turn to for comfort, and/or a dish that’s almost like an inside joke between you and yours? I want to hear all about it!!!

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And some quick announcements before we get to the recipe!

• I have two more classes coming up next month before I take off for my annual summer break:

  • This Sunday May 4th at 2p EST: ¡Quatro de Mayo! We will be making: Pineapple Margaritas, Chicken + Roasted Tomato Enchiladas, and Mango Sorbet with Lime + Tajín. »»» All class info/signup right here!! ««« A portion of proceeds from this class will go to Make The Road New York. Sliding scale starting at $40.

  • Sunday May 18th at 2p EST: One Can of Chickpeas, So Many Possibilities! We will celebrate the versatility of a can of chickpeas with: Chickpea + Kale Soup, Chorizo + Chickpeas with Eggs, Chopped Chickpea Salad, and Chickpea Curry. »»» All class info/signup right here! ««« A portion of proceeds from this class will be given to the ACLU. Sliding scale starting at $40.

• Thanks to encouragement from

  Corinne Fay
  , I have set up a ShopMy page that includes my recommendations for/links to everything from my favorite kitchen tools + ingredients, to tableware I love and even most of the items in my closet. It’s basically like shop-able Pinterest? Some (not all) of the links will earn me a small commission which costs you nothing extra and is a little bonus for me. I will continue to update it!! Check it out here.

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Rice Surprise!

Full recipe below for paid subscribers plus notes if you:

• Do not have cooked rice on hand

• Are curious about frozen broccoli instead of fresh

• Can’t fathom a meal without more protein in it

• Would like ideas for alternates for the rice, the broccoli, and the cheese

• Are vegan

• Would rather have this as a side dish and are wondering what to serve with it

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Serves about 2 if you’re both hungry or more like 4 if it’s a side-dish for something else

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 small yellow onion, diced

• 4 cups finely chopped broccoli