Removing the "heat"

[jpcher]

I made a big batch of Spanish rice today for a few of DD#2's lunches next week. I got a bit heavy handed on the cayenne. I luves the heat, but DD#2? not so much.

Is there anything that I can do to remove the heat? or make the rice less spicy?

[PastryGoddess]

Take out a portion of the spicy rice and replace with non spiced rice.  Maybe a 2 to 1 ratio of spicy to non spicy rice.

[cicero]

if you don't mind losing the spices altogether, try rinsing the rice and then re-spicing with a less liberal hand.

[jpcher]

Take out a portion of the spicy rice and replace with non spiced rice.  Maybe a 2 to 1 ratio of spicy to non spicy rice.

This is a good idea . . . kinda spread the heat around.

Thanks!

[PastryGoddess]

Take out a portion of the spicy rice and replace with non spiced rice.  Maybe a 2 to 1 ratio of spicy to non spicy rice.

This is a good idea . . . kinda spread the heat around.

Thanks!

I do it on a regular basis for my family.  They don't seem to understand that hotter IS better

[NyaChan]

if you don't mind losing the spices altogether, try rinsing the rice and then re-spicing with a less liberal hand.

Can you really do that?  Won't it ruin the rice?

[sparksals]

Add more plain rice to it. 

You could also make it more of a rice casserole by adding some melted / softened cream cheese to it. 

[JeseC]

Mix up a plain yogurt sauce.  It's pretty easy - mix plain yogurt, milk, and any desired seasonings until you get a thick liquid.  If you have any sweet spices that would go, use them.  Mix it with the rice.  Make sure to use regular yogurt, not low-fat!

[cicero]

if you don't mind losing the spices altogether, try rinsing the rice and then re-spicing with a less liberal hand.

Can you really do that?  Won't it ruin the rice?

I've done it. it doesn't always work but if my choices are "trash" or "try to save" then i tried to save. I rinsed and re-spiced.

[Cat-Fu]

You can also try stirring in a little sugar and a generous amount of lime juice, or top it with sour cream. Another option is to cut up a potato and stir the slices in; remove them after it sits overnight.

[jpcher]

Scared, now . . . 

I just showed DD#2 all of your responses (we don't have any more rice, haven't been to the store) She got a gleam in her eye and said "I know what I'm going to do!" Then she ran off to the kitchen.

I think it has something to do with the cream cheese and a rinsing . . .



I'll let you know what she did!

[jpcher]

WOW! That was fast and turned out delicious with a less spicy rice!

I stayed out of the kitchen, so what DD#2 told me that she did was:

Put a couple of tablespoons of cream cheese in a fry-pan. Let it melt for a bit then she added the rice. Stirred the rice with the cream cheese, added some lime and sugar, let it cook for a bit, then mixed in the (prepared) beef.

She served the mixture on tortillas lightly spreaded with cream cheese.

I asked her why she used cream cheese instead of sour cream. She said (duh, Mom! ) Cream cheese is thicker than sour cream. It's like butter and holds up better when cooking.


Can I just say that I'm so proud of DD#2?

She used several of your suggestions (sugar, cream cheese, lime, and mixing the beef with the rice (instead of adding more rice) to spread the heat) to make a wonderful meal . . . and there are leftovers for her to bring to school this week.



THANK YOU!