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Mom’s Holiday Brown Rice

Mom’s make special dishes just for holiday’s like, ” Mom’s Holiday Brown Rice”. This one is my personal favorite that my mom made every single holiday! Do you assume special holiday dishes are difficult to prepare? That is what I think. Guess what? I am WRONG! This is the simplest dish EVER.

For most of my life this dish appeared at every single holiday. My mom would lovingly announce that she had made her brown rice dish and as soon as it is out of the oven, dinner would be ready.

Then, with great care she would set this dish on the table. Perfect Brown Rice. Every Single Time.

Photo of the casserole dish with Mom’s Holiday Brown Rice

Mom’s Holiday Brown Rice

My favorite part is always when the corner pieces are a little over done and crunchy and they stick together and form a crust. Unfortunately, I was unable to recreate this for this photo.

I have to tell you though. When I talked to my mom about this recipe – she didn’t have the recipe written down and didn’t remember how to make it exactly. I was on my own to recreate it! She only knew that it took beef consume and butter. I could remember her cutting an onion. I could also remember the day she decided she didn’t like onion soup in it.

I searched the internets for literal days trying to locate a recipe. I found a recipe on Yummly that was close – but no cigar. Finally, I threw all of the recipes I had collected in the trash and just went with what I knew and BAM! This is it!

A photo of a spoonful of Mom’s Holiday Brown Rice

Mom’s Holiday Brown Rice

THE RECIPE FOR MOM’S HOLIDAY BROWN RICE

A photo of a spoonful of Mom’s Holiday Brown Rice

Mom’s Holiday Brown Rice

Simple and Easy holiday rice dish
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Save Rate
Course: Classic SIMPLE recipe for a wonderful holiday rice dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: brown rice, holiday brown rice
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 150kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups white rice
  • 2 10 oz cans of beef consume soup I used Campbell’s
  • 1 Tbs Worcestershire
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • ½ Cup - 1 stick of sweet cream unsalted butter

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 and prepare a 9x13 baking dish with non stick cooking spray.
  • In the baking dish combine the rice, soup, worcestershire, onion powder, garlic, salt and pepper. Stir with a fork and spread the rice around the pan as much as possible. See tips and tricks for substitutions.
  • Cut the butter into pats and place carefully around the surface of the dish (it will float on top of the consume).
  • Tightly cover the top of the dish with aluminum foil and make sure it is sealed well.
  • Place in the center of the oven and bake for 1 hour. After an hour, remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before removing the aluminum foil. Serve hot.

Notes

Sometimes when you make this dish, the rice in the corners of the dish cook up crispy and make the MOST delicious crunchy rice.  So, go for the corners first. 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Mom’s Holiday Brown Rice
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 150
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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this is a photo of the casserole made with french onion soup instead of two cans of consume

This is a photo of the recipe made with the French Onion Soup added.

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR Mom’s Holiday Brown Rice

  • Instead of the onion powder, you can use half an onion chopped into tiny pieces and then browned till translucent in a skillet – cook in butter. Of course, you would do this before you began the rest of the recipe. The fact is that I don’t have a single onion in my kitchen today – I know, right – so, I couldn’t do it that way, but that is how my mom always made this recipe.
  • This recipe won’t work with other kinds of rice – just use the basic white rice. Not the instant rice, not the minute rice, not wild rice, not arborio, not jasmine, not….. You get the idea. Just plain ol’ white rice that has to be cooked for an hour before it is ready.
  • If you can’t locate the beef consume, the beef stock (in the soup can) will work too – it just won’t be as flavorful. You might have to add some salt at the table.
  • This dish is EXCELLENT served with a pot roast, baked chicken, pork chops, broccoli and ANYTHING with gravy.
  • If my memory serves me right – for some years, my mom made this with one can of beef consume and one can of Campbells Onion Soup (the kind in the can). I tried this in one of my experimentation versions and I just didn’t like it AT ALL! Too bitter! Ewww. I can remember when I was small and my mom was making this for a holiday but was unable to find the onion soup – and so just used two cans of consume. That is how we ate it ever after. We all liked it better. See photo above for what it looks like with the French Onion Soup added.
  • This isn’t a tip or a trick – I’m just tickled that I can share this recipe with you in time for Thanksgiving. It is wonderful and is right out of my childhood brain to you – what could be better comfort food than that?

IF YOU ENJOYED MOM’S HOLIDAY BROWN RICE, YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY…

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A VERSE TO SHARE

“Sometimes you just have to fight fire with fire”. “You have to get down on their level before you can make them understand”.

That was what a friend of mine said recently when we were discussing the actions of a group we have observed.

I argued, “just because someone else is acting like a pig doesn’t mean one has to get down in the mud and waller around with them”, “there is no reason to bring oneself down to that level”.

In the end, we agreed to disagree. We don’t agree about what to do with the prisoners on The Walking Dead either. Sometimes you just have to decide that your friendship is worth more than the side you take in a debate.

How to respond

This discussion led me to delve into my Bible for more information about why I believe the way I do. I know it partially comes from my parents teaching me to always take the high road. I know it comes from my past job in marketing where I learned that you just don’t respond to most types of negative comments because it is beneath notice.

Often, it is best to simply respond with a kind or humorous remark to let the other side know you heard them but are unaffected by them.

In my gut though, I know my real feelings come from my religious upbringing.

From Paul

I found my response in Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Paul entreats the Philippians to always act with honor. He says to, “Let your gentleness be evident to all”.

That said, I can’t square up my thoughts about what to do with the prisoners on The Walking Dead – so, I’ll have to study that for a while too.

Peace and Blessings as we go into our week of Thanksgiving!

Philippians 4: 4-8

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

 

Wendi is the writer, CEO and dishwasher at Loaves and Dishes! When not in the kitchen or behind the computer, you can find Wendi serving on International Food Conference Boards, Speaking at various conferences, Leading and Cooking for the local Arts Council's "Taste of Stokes" events or donating home cooked goodies to various local non profits such as the Danbury Songwriters and Stokes Partnership for Children. Wendi is also a Registered Nurse with a Master's Degree and serves on her town's board of councilmen.

Recipe Rating




Joyceb

Saturday 22nd of August 2020

I plan to bake this rice for Sunday dinner tomorrow. It looks like l will be able to halve it. Family does not come over for our usual big Sunday gatherings since the COVID-19 has changed our lives.

Thank you for this recipe and the very inspirational messages from the heart. Blessings!

Wendi Spraker

Monday 24th of August 2020

Hi Joyce! I hope your family loved it. Thank you so much for leaving a comment and letting me know!

Natalie

Saturday 16th of May 2020

Thank you for posting this recipe. I look forward to trying this very soon. I think that this may possibly be the same kind of rice I had years ago while I visited Bob Jones University. The recipe looks like very much like the tastes of the rice that I remember- and I never forgot about how good the rice was there! Lol

Wendi Spraker

Monday 18th of May 2020

Thanks for leaving a comment Natalie! I hope it is just what you were looking for!

Moxie

Tuesday 8th of January 2019

I know this rice is perfect!

Sammie

Thursday 14th of December 2017

Wendi this dish looks delicious. Absolutely no disrespect to you or your mom, but I’m already thinking of adding mushrooms. Eek, I am so terrible at controlling my creativity! Remembered flavours and family foods are my favourite.

Prior to reading this post I had been praying for your mom, following the email you sent. Know that she is in His arms and may the peace that transcends all understanding be upon you and your family. Xxx

Wendi Spraker

Thursday 14th of December 2017

Hi Sammie! Thanks so much for the prayers. They work! She is feeling better this morning. So that's something! Regarding this recipe, I think mushrooms would be terrific!! In fact I think there are lots of ways to be versatile with this one!! Let me know if you give it a try!!

Bill Stull

Sunday 19th of November 2017

Hi Wendy; I remember your mother quite well and can picture her making this after my piano lessons! My wife and I made this yesterday. Thank you so much for sharing. We made it with onion soup mix and cut the butter in half. It was still excellent. It's one of those comfort foods I think and I can sure understand why you loved it so much. Always enjoy your posts. What a nice blog you have. Bill Stull

Wendi Spraker

Sunday 19th of November 2017

Hi Bill!! So nice to hear from you! I remember you taking piano lessons from my mom! Saturday was a pretty constant stream of neighborhood kids coming for lessons. :). I'll tell her that I spoke with you! She will be happy to hear that! I'm so glad you gave this dish a whirl. If you keep making it, eventually you'll come up with those delicious crunchy edges- wow- so good! (Your mom was my third grade teacher- please give her a hug from me). Wishing you and yours the best Thanksgiving holiday!

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