~ Sammi ~RICE CAKES8 thin slices of white break 1 cup raw wild rice 4 cups water 1/2 tablespoon salt, plus more to taste 4 tablespoons canola oil 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 medium carrot, peeled, cut into 1/4-inch dice (about 1/3 cup) 1 small celery stalk, peeled, cut into 1/4-inch dice (about 1/3 cup) 1/2 medium yellow pepper, seeded, deveined, cut into 1/4-inch dice 9about 1/3 cup) 2 large eggs, lightly beaten Freshly ground black pepper Uaing a serrated knife, remove the crusts from the bread. Place trimmed bread on a baking sheet. Transfer to heated oven, and cook until dry, about 15 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool. Chop bread very finely (you need about 1 and 1/4 cups, and set aside. Rinse rice under cold running water until water runs clear. In a medium sauce pan, bring 4 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil over high heat. Stir in wild rice, and lower heat to medium low. Cook rice, stirring often, until water has evaporated and rice has popped, about 55 minutes. Drain rice through a colander. Set aside to cool. Heat 2 tablespoons canola oil in a medium nonstick saute pan over medium heat. Add garlic and stir until fragrant. Add carrot, celery, and yellow pepper,a nd cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool. In a medium bowl, combine wild rice, vegetables, and eggs. Gently fold in breadcrumbs. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover, and refrigerate until the break crumbs have absorbed the liquids, about 1 hour. Using a 2-ounce ice-cream scoop, firmly pack rice mixture into scoop. Place ball of rice mixture on a baking sheet lined with a silpat 9French nonstick baking mat). Gently press down with your damp palm to flatten rice into a cake. Repeat with remaining rice mixture to form 8 cakes. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons canola oil in a medium nonstick saute pan over medium heat. Using a wide spatula, carefully transfer 4 rice cakes into pan. Saute until lightly browned and set on the edges, about 5 minutes. Gently turn rice cakes, and saute for 5 more minutes. Repeat with remaining rice cakes. |