Orange Rice

This is one of those extremely versatile, no-fuss side dishes using only 4 ingredients. Combine instant rice with orange juice, chicken with rice soup and some grated orange peel; cover with aluminum foil, bake for 30 minutes (no peeking), uncover and bake for 10 minutes more. That’s it! Done. All the mixing is done right in the casserole dish, so no extra bowls to clean afterwards. The refreshing “summery” taste of this Orange Rice would be an ideal way to serve up those grilled kabobs. Scoop a bed of prepared rice on a platter, garnish with some mandarin orange segments and lay the kabobs atop. Or, make it a main meal indoors. Brown pork chops in a skillet. Mix rice, juice and grated orange peel in casserole dish. Lay the browned chops over the rice mixture. Pour the canned soup over all. Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes; uncover and bake for 10 minutes more. How versatile is that? You have a stand-alone side dish, an outdoor complete meal option and an indoor complete meal option; and I was able to give instructions for all three choices in just a few sentences. A flavorful and different way to serve up plain ol’ rice (and the kids will love it)!

Preheat oven to 375° F.

Grate orange peel.

In 2- quart casserole dish, combine instant rice (Minute rice), orange juice, orange peel and canned soups. Stir to combine (right in the casserole dish). 

Cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven; uncover. 

Return to oven and bake for 10 minutes more.
 
If desired, garnish with mandarin orange segments. 

ORANGE RICE
Posted by:  www.meldingmagic.com

INGREDIENTS:

• 2-2/3 cups instant rice (Minute rice)
• 2 cups orange juice
• 2 cans (10-1/2 ounces each) chicken with rice soup
• 1 teaspoon grated orange peel
• Mandarin orange segments, for garnish (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375° F.
2. In 2- quart casserole dish, combine instant rice (Minute rice), orange juice, orange peel and canned
    soups. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven; uncover. Return to oven
    and bake for 10 minutes more.
3. If desired, garnish with mandarin orange segments.

Variations:
To make pork chops with orange rice – Brown pork chops on both sides in skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Place rice in 2- quart baking dish. Pour orange juice over rice. Arrange browned pork chops on rice. Pour chicken soup over all. Cover and bake at 375° F. for 40 minutes; remove cover and bake for additional 10 minutes.

To serve with grilled kabobs – Prepare rice according to directions above. Scoop a bed of prepared rice on serving platter. Garnish with mandarin orange segments. Lay kabobs atop rice.