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Crispy Rice Cake with Pan Seared Fish
This recipe is intended to help you make use of leftover rice from a previous meal. You can also cook rice specifically to make this dish.
Crispy Rice Cake
2 ½ cups cooked rice (We prefer Carolina gold or jasmine rice.)
2 Tablespoons purified avocado oil or pure olive oil (Do not use extra virgin olive oil.)
Preheat a nonstick skillet, over medium heat, with enough cooking oil to coat the bottom of the pan. When the oil begins to lightly smoke, add in the cooked rice all at once. Using a rubber spatula, pat the rice down evenly to completely fit into and cover the bottom of the pan. Place a lid that fits just inside the pan directly on the rice to press it down and steam. Reduce the heat to low, and let the rice cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
Using a spatula, work around the edge of the rice cake, lifting the edge just enough to see that the rice is becoming crispy. You should be able to feel the rice loosen from the pan and be able to swirl the rice cake around the pan as one piece. With your spatula, flip the cake and cook uncovered for an additional 2 to 3 minutes on the second side. When finished, turn the rice cake out onto a clean cutting board and cut to serve.
Pan Seared Fish
4-6 oz. fish filets
About 1 ½ Tablespoons purified avocado oil or pure olive oil
Salt to taste
Let your fish to sit uncovered in the refrigerator for about an hour before cooking to allow the top side to dry a bit to help with a better sear. When ready to cook, season the top side of the fish with oil and salt.
Add enough oil to your hot skillet/pan to coat the bottom. Place the fish in the pan, seasoned side down, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. When you flip your fish to cook the other side, add 2 Tablespoons whole butter directly into the pan. As the butter melts, use a spoon to baste the butter over the fish. After basting, turn your stove heat off. The residual heat in the pan will finish cooking the second side of the fish.
You can create a simple mixture of extra virgin olive oil and fresh herbs to top your fish while it’s in the pan for extra flavor!
To Plate
Place a cut piece or scoop of the rice cake on your plate. This is a great dish to pair with any of your favorite roasted vegetables, prepared in the oven while you cook the rice and fish. Add your fish to the plate hot. Finish with a sprinkle of black lime to add a toasted citrus flavor and garnish with fresh herbs. Enjoy!