Minted Rice Pilaf Recipes

MINTED BASMATI RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Examine the rice for foreign objects, but do not wash.
• Heat the olive oil in the bottom of a heavy casserole until it begins to bubble. Add the onion and saute until translucent. Add the rice and stir to coat well with oil before adding the bay leaf, salt, pepper and the hot broth. Quickly bring to a boil, place a tight fitting lid on the pot and place into the oven.
• Cook the rice for 18 to 20 minutes before removing from the oven. Stir in the butter and the chopped mint and serve.

MINTED RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Place mint stems, chicken broth and water in a 2 1/2-quart souffle dish or casserole with tight-fitting lid. Cook, covered, at 100 percent power in a 650- to 700-watt oven for 10 minutes. If using plastic, prick to release steam.
• Remove from oven and uncover. Strain liquid and allow liquid to cool to room temperature. Reserve.
• Place onion and oil in the 2 1/2-quart souffle dish or casserole. Cover and cook at 100 percent power for 4 minutes.
• Remove from oven and uncover. Stir in rice. Cook, uncovered, at 100 percent power for 1 minute 30 seconds.
• Remove from oven. Stir in reserved liquid. Re-cover and cook at 100 percent power for 10 minutes.
• Remove from oven and uncover. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the chopped mint leaves. Re-cover and cook for 8 minutes longer.
• Remove from oven and uncover. Stir in remaining chopped mint, salt and pepper. Serve hot.

MINTED BARLEY PILAF

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat; cook and stir onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add carrot, celery, and salt; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add barley and mix to coat with oil; cook and stir until barley is golden brown, about 5 minutes.
• Stir chicken stock, water, thyme, and sage into barley mixture. Cover pot and bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until liquid is absorbed, about 45 minutes. Remove pot from heat and stir mint into barley pilaf. Cover pot and allow flavors to blend, 5 to 10 minutes.

LEMON RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Cook rice according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Add celery and onions; cook until tender. Add rice, lemon zest, salt and pepper; toss lightly. Cook until heated through.

LEMON MINT RICE

Steps:

• Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Stir in rice, and allow to simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain rice into a strainer, and rinse with cold water until cool.
• Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a small saute pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion, and cook until translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer rice and chopped onion to a bowl, and toss with mint, lemon zest, parsley, salt, lemon juice, and remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil. Serve at room temperature.

JASMINE RICE PILAF WITH PEAS, MINT, AND LEMON

Steps:

• Combine the rice and 6 cups of cold water in a pot. Sprinkle in the salt and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. When the liquid comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and cover. Cook the rice for 20 minutes, without peaking under the lid, the steam is most precious in cooking rice. When the rice has absorbed the water it will form "craters" or holes in the top.
• Let the rice sit off the heat, undisturbed with the lid on, for at least 5 minutes. This allows the rice to steam, with the bottom layer as fluffy as the top.
• Fluff the rice with a fork and transfer to a serving bowl. Add the blanched peas, green onions, lemon juice and zest, mint, and oil; season with salt and pepper. Toss gently, taking care not to smash the grains of rice. Garnish with pea tendrils before serving, if using.