Atzem Pilafi Recipes

BASMATI RICE PILAF

Steps:

• To wash or not to wash rice? In the case of basmati, no matter what my preparation is, I always wash it. It cleans out any small particles and it also rids the rice of any starch on the grain. This starch makes the rice gummier when cooked.
• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, add the rice and 4 cups of cold water. Soak the rice for 1/2 hour.
• In a small bowl, add the cumin seeds, cardamom, fennel seeds, cinnamon, black peppercorns, and bay leaves and stir to combine. Turn the mixture out onto a baking sheet and put it in the center of the oven to lightly toast the spices and awaken the flavors, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the spices to cool.
• Heat a medium saute pan over medium heat and add the butter and the onion. Season with salt and cook until the onions are translucent but not brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the spices. Drain the rice but reserve the soaking water. Stir in the rice and cook until you hear the rice crackling, about 2 minutes. Gently stir in the reserved soaking water. Season with a generous portion of salt and bring the liquid to a simmer over medium heat.
• Cook the rice over medium-low heat, uncovered and undisturbed, for about 8 minutes. Take a fork (so as not to damage the rice) and flake a few grains off to taste for doneness. It may need to be cooked another 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow the rice to "rest" (as you would a roast beef) for 10 minutes before "forking" it gently into a serving bowl. Stir in 3 tablespoons of butter, if desired, and serve.

ATZEM PILAFI

Steps:

• Wash and dry meat.
• Brown 2/3 of the butter in large pot.
• Add meat and brown on all sides.
• Add onions and continue to cook until they become a light golden color.
• Add tomatoes or diluted tomato paste, and the salt, pepper and water.
• Cover pot and simmer until meat is tender, about.
• 1 hr.
• Put meat into casserole and keep it warm.
• Strain sauce; measure it.
• Add water if necessary to make 8 or 9 cups.
• Pour into lge.
• pot and bring to a boil.
• Add rice.
• Stir at the start to prevent sticking.
• Cover and simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed, 20-30 min.
• Remove from heat.
• Add meat and mix well.
• Brown remaining butter and pour it over the rice.
• Cover pot with a clean towel, then cover towel with pot lid.
• Let stand for 5 min.
• Serve hot.