Mixed Grain Pilaf Recipes

THREE-GRAIN PILAF

Steps:

• In a large nonstick skillet, saute onion and carrot in oil for 3-4 minutes or until the vegetables are crisp-tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the rice, barley and bulgur; saute for 4 minutes or until grains are lightly browned. , Gradually add broth and sherry if desired. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; stir in oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 40-45 minutes or until grains are tender and the liquid is absorbed. Stir in parsley and sprinkle with almonds.

MIXED GRAIN PILAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat oil and butter in a large ovenproof Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Add mushrooms. Raise heat to medium-high, and cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in all of the grains. Cook, stirring often, 12 minutes. Stir in stock; bring to a boil.
• Cover, and transfer to oven. Bake until grains are tender, 40 to 50 minutes (check after 40 minutes, but don't remove lid before then). Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
• Add grains, and stir well, coating them with oil. Cook, stirring often, for about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in stock, and bring to a boil. Cover pot, and put in oven. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes (check after 30 minutes; remove lid and cook a little longer if grains need to be softer). Fold in chopped herbs. Drizzle with Marsala wine. Season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.
• To reheat: Place the pilaf mixture in a buttered, ovenproof casserole. Do not fold in the herbs or add Marsala. Cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve. When ready to serve, bring the pilaf to room temperature, about 20 minutes. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Drizzle with Marsala. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the top of the casserole, and butter it. Place the parchment on the pilaf, butter-side down. Place in the oven until heated through, about 30 minutes.

CLASSIC RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Melt butter and olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until onion is lightly browned, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Combine rice and onion mixture in a 9x13-inch casserole dish placed on a baking sheet. Stir thoroughly to coat the rice.
• Combine chicken stock, salt, saffron, and cayenne pepper in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Pour chicken stock mixture over rice in the casserole dish and stir to combine. Spread mixture evenly along the bottom of the pan. Cover tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Remove foil and fluff with a fork to separate the grains of rice.

MIXED-GRAIN PILAF WITH CHICKEN

Steps:

• Soak wheat berries in water overnight. Alternatively, bring wheat berries and enough water to cover by 2 inches to a boil in a medium saucepan. Cover, remove from heat, and let stand 1 hour. Drain and set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a large, ovenproof braiser, heat ghee over medium-high. Add chicken, skin-side down, and cook until deep golden brown, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Drain all but 1/4 cup fat from pot.
• Reduce heat to medium, add onions and garlic, and cook until soft and translucent, about 12 minutes. Add reserved wheat berries and cook, stirring, about 3 minutes. Add stock; season with salt and pepper. Bring mixture to a boil, cover, and transfer to oven. Cook for 45 minutes.
• Carefully remove pot from oven and stir in millet and raisins. Place chicken, skin-side up, in pot. Cover, return to oven, and cook until grains are tender and liquid has evaporated, 45 to 55 minutes.
• In a small bowl, combine yogurt, cucumber, mint, and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper.
• Remove pilaf from oven and sprinkle with parsley, pomegranate seeds, and almonds. Serve with yogurt sauce.

MULTI-GRAIN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• In a large saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the pine nuts and swirl the pan until the nuts toast, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the brown and wild rice and the farro and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until lightly toasted. Stir in 5 cups water, the lemon zest, thyme, and 2 teaspoons kosher salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook undisturbed for 45 minutes. Check the texture of the rice, and if needed, continue simmering until tender and the liquid is absorbed, another 10 to 15 minutes.
• Remove from the heat, scatter the scallions and lemon juice over the surface of the pilaf and set aside, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork, stirring in the scallions, remove the herb sprigs and serve. Season with remaining salt and black pepper, to taste.