Sweet Tea Rice Recipe

1. Bring tea to a boil in a 3-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat; stir in rice and salt. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 20 minutes or until tea is absorbed and rice is tender.

Chef's Notes

Try these twists.

Sweet Tea Rice with Jalapeño, Peaches, and Pecans: Prepare recipe as directed. Meanwhile, melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add 1/2 cup chopped pecans, and cook, stirring often, 3 to 4 minutes or until toasted and fragrant. Add 1 large seeded and minced jalapeño pepper, and sauté 1 minute. Stir in hot cooked rice, 1 large peeled and diced fresh peach, 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh chives, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Hands-on time: 10 min.; Total time: 25 min.

Sweet Tea Rice with Caramelized Onions: Prepare recipe as directed. Meanwhile, melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add 1 diced, large sweet onion, and sauté 20 minutes or until caramel colored. Stir in 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Stir in hot cooked rice. Hands-on time: 25 min.; Total time: 25 min.

Sweet Tea Rice Tabbouleh: Prepare recipe as directed. Transfer rice to a large bowl, and let cool completely (about 30 minutes). Stir in 2 seeded and diced plum tomatoes, 3 thinly sliced green onions, 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley, 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint, 3 Tbsp. olive oil, 2 tsp. lemon zest, 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Cover and chill 1 hour. Hands-on time: 10 min.; Total time: 2 hr.

Sweet Tea Rice with Fresh Ginger and Pears: Prepare recipe as directed. Meanwhile, melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add 2 minced large shallots, and sauté 1 minute. Add 1 peeled and diced large pear, 2 tsp. grated fresh ginger, 1/2 tsp. pepper, and 1/4 tsp. salt, and sauté 5 minutes or until pear is tender. Stir in hot cooked rice. Hands-on time: 10 min.; Total time: 25 min.