Hearty Winter Veggie Pilaf Recipes

PERFECT RICE PILAF WITH VEGETABLES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, rinse rice with cold water. Stir with your hands to remove surface starch. Drain through a fine-mesh strainer and rinse again.
• Heat the butter or oil in a large, heavy-duty saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, red pepper, zucchini, and carrot and sauté for 3-4 minutes.
• Add the rice and cook, stirring, until it is lightly browned and smells nutty, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the broth, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Immediately lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook until all of the liquid is absorbed, about 40-45 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat, uncover, and lay a folded kitchen towl over the pan, and cover again to hold the towel in place. Let the rice rest for about 5 minutes.
• Remove the lid and towel, fluff the rice with a fork, and serve.

WINTER PILAF

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a pan and gently fry the onions and garlic until softened, about 5 mins. Add the spices and rice, then stir-fry for 1-2 mins. Pour in the hot stock and simmer until the stock is nearly all absorbed, about 20-25 mins. Stir in the turkey, add seasoning, then continue cooking until warmed through. Scatter over the nuts and coriander. Divide between two bowls and serve with a dollop of cranberry sauce.

HEARTY WINTER VEGGIE PILAF

Steps:

• In a fine-mesh sieve, rinse the quinoa. Transfer to a large pot of boiling, salted water and simmer covered until almost tender, about 12 minutes; turn off heat and allow to rest, covered, for 15 minutes (at this point it should be tender).
• While the quinoa is cooking, in a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook until lightly browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in the scallion whites, pine nuts and dried currants; season with salt and pepper. Cook until the nuts are light golden, about 2 minutes; transfer to a bowl.
• In the same skillet, heat another 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the brussels sprouts and 1/8 cup water; season with salt (I recommend seasoning salt) and pepper. Cook until crisp-tender, about 8 minutes. Toss with the mushroom mixture, quinoa, scallion greens, parsley and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.