Cumin Herb Rice Pilaf Recipes

BASMATI RICE PILAF WITH DRIED FRUITS AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Place the rice in a medium bowl and add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Using your hands, gently swish the grains to release any excess starch. Carefully pour off the water, leaving the rice in the bowl. Repeat four to five times, until the water runs almost clear. Using a fine mesh strainer, drain the water from rice. Place the strainer over a bowl and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a pot over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring regularly, until softened but not browned, about 4 minutes. Add the cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, and garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds longer. Add the rice to the pot, and cook, stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes. Add the water, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until all the liquid is absorbed, 15 to 18 minutes. Off the heat, remove the lid and sprinkle the dried fruit over the rice (do not mix in). Place the lid over the pot and let stand for 10 minutes. Toss in the toasted almonds, fluff the rice with a fork, and serve.

HERBED RICE PILAF

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook the rice, celery and onion in butter, stirring constantly, until rice is browned. Stir in the next 5 ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley; stir in pimientos if desired. , Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

CUMIN HERB RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Cook cumin seeds and white part of scallions in 1 tablespoon oil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until scallions are softened, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add rice and cook, stirring frequently, 1 minute. Stir in broth, water, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil over high heat.
• Cover pan, then reduce heat to low and cook until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, about 15 minutes. Remove pan from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes.
• Fluff rice with a fork and toss with scallion greens, parsley, and remaining tablespoon oil.

CUMIN-SCENTED HERBED RICE

Steps:

• Wash rice in several changes of cold water in a bowl until water runs clear and drain well in a sieve.
• Toast cumin seeds in oil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until a shade darker, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Stir rice into cumin. Stir in broth and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low and cover pan, then simmer gently until rice is tender, 16 to 18 minutes.
• Fluff rice with a fork and let stand, covered, off heat up to 10 minutes. When ready to serve, stir in scallions and cilantro.