Arroz Huérfano
(Orphan’s Rice)
Ingredients
1-½ oz. bacon (about 1 thick slice or 2 thin slices)
2-2/3 cups homemade or low-salt chicken broth
1 Tbs. finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
3 Tbs. oil
1-½ oz. finely chopped ham (about ¼ cup)
½ cup blanched slivered almonds
1-½ cups long-grain rice
Pinch saffron threads (about 1/8 tsp.)
1/3 cup pine nuts
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbs. unsalted butter
¾ tsp. kosher salt
¾ cup pecan halves
1 Tbs. finely minced onion
Preparation
Heat the broth in a small saucepan until very hot but not boiling, and add the saffron. Turn off the heat and let the mixture sit for at least 10 minutes.
Heat a medium-large, heavy-based pot or Dutch oven (with a good lid) over medium heat until hot, pour in the oil, and then add the rice and sauté, stirring frequently, until a few grains just begin to brown, no more, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the onion and garlic and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Turn the heat to high, add the saffron broth and salt, bring to a boil, cover, turn the heat down to very low, and cook for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, fry the bacon until crisp, drain on paper towels, chop finely, and mix with the ham. Pour out the grease from the pan and add the butter. Melt the butter over medium heat, add the pecans, almonds, and pine nuts, and sauté them, stirring frequently until the almonds begin to turn golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Don’t overcook the nuts or they’ll be bitter. When the rice has cooked 15 minutes, stir in the bacon and ham, sautéed nuts, and parsley, cover the pot, and take it off the heat. Let the rice steam in the covered pot for 10 minutes. Serve hot.
Paired with
Chardonnay
Lush, ripe white peach, pineapple and pear notes mingle with toasty vanilla and oak spice nuances in the rich aromas and flavors of our Russian River Chardonnay. A hint of white flower and streak of minerality—typical of Russian River Valley terroir—add enticing complexity. The wine’s pitch-perfect acidity, influenced by the cool Pacific Ocean fog that funnels through a gap in the Sonoma Mountains, gives the wine vibrancy on the richly textured palate. Malolactic fermentation and new French oak barrels enhanced the lingering citrus and crème brûlée finish.