Mediterranean Lemon Rice Recipes

LEMON RICE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft, taking care not to let them color, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the rice and stir to coat with the oil. Add 3 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, then cover and cook until all of the liquid has been absorbed, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and fluff with a fork to separate the grains. Let sit, covered, for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Add the lemon juice and mint to the rice and toss to distribute evenly.
• Serve hot, garnished with chopped mint.

GREEK LEMON RICE RECIPE

Steps:

• Wash rice well and then soak it for about 15 to 20 minutes in plenty of cold water (enough to cover the rice by 1 inch). You should be able to easily break a grain of rice by simply placing it between your thumb and index finger. Drain well.
• Heat about 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large sauce pan with a lid (like this one) until oil is shimmering but not smoking. Add onions and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and orzo pasta. Toss around for a bit until the orzo has gained some color then stir in the rice. Toss to coat.
• Now add lemon juice and broth. Bring liquid to a rolling boil (it should reduce a little), then turn heat to low. Cover and let cook for about 20 minutes or until rice is done (liquid should be fully absorbed and rice should be tender but not sticky.)
• Remove rice from heat. For best results, leave it covered and do not disturb rice for about 10 minutes or so.
• Uncover and stir in parsley, dill weed and lemon zest. If you like, add a few slices of lemon on top for garnish. Enjoy!

LEMON RICE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring water, broth, lemon juice and butter to a boil. Stir in rice, basil and lemon zest. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes or until the water is absorbed. Before serving, sprinkle with lemon-pepper.

MEDITERRANEAN LEMON-RICE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a saucepan. Chop the onion finely, and add it along with the garlic. When the onions are translucent, add the turmeric (it will look like a lot, but have no fear!). Add the chicken, and stir around until well blended. Add the water or chicken stock.
• Bring to a boil, and add the rice. Lower heat, cover and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring very gently once or twice.
• Remove cover, add the chopped vegetables, cook for about 5 minutes longer. Dissolve the cornstarch in some cold water (to prevent clumps), and slowly add it to the soup, mixing well. Add the lemon. Heat for another 5-10 minutes on medium heat-- if it is too thin, you can add some more cornstarch.
• Now for the fun part! Remove the saucepan from heat. In a bowl, beat the eggs together very well. SLOWLY pour the eggs into the soup, whisking very quickly with a fork (if you are too slow stirring or dump the eggs in too fast, you will end up with something akin to egg-drop soup!). After all the eggs are in the soup, continue whisking for a few minutes. If you get it right the first time, the soup should be very yellow and have a velvety texture.
• Season with salt/pepper, taste and adjust the lemon juice or water amounts if needed. Garnish with mint, dill or lemon wedges (if desired) and serve!