Pine Nut And Sesame Pilaf Armenia Recipes

PINE NUT AND SESAME PILAF (ARMENIA)

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large sauté pan and sauté the onion until it softens and starts to color, about 10 minutes, then add the fenugreek and the roasted seeds and nuts and mix well.
• Cook over medium until the onions have wilted completely, about 10 more minutes.
• Add salt and pepper to the onions along with the stock and water and bring the mixture to a boil.
• When the water is hot, add the rice and return to a boil. Then lower heat and cook covered 15-20 minutes or until the rice is done(if using brown rice, cook another 15-20 minutes).

AUNTIE'S ARMENIAN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• In 2-qt. heavy saucepan with tight-fitting lid, melt butter over medium heat until foam subsides.
• Add vermicelli noodles and saute until dark and reddish in color.
• Stir in rice and saute in butter until rice is fragrant and nutty in aroma.
• Raise heat to medium-high; pour in boiling chicken broth and stir.
• Add salt and pepper, tasting a bit of the broth to ensure desired seasoning.
• Cover and bring to a boil.
• Once boiling, reduce heat to keep broth at a simmer and cook for exactly 20 minutes.
• After 20 minutes, remove cover and taste a few grains of rice for doneness. If still a bit hard, replace cover and cook for two additional minutes.
• When rice is tender, remove pot from heat. Place a paper napkin directly on top of the pilaf and replace cover; let sit undisturbed for 5 minutes.
• After rest-time has elapsed, remove cover, discard the paper napkin, and stir the pilaf before serving.

GARLIC RICE WITH PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Cook peppers, pine nuts, and garlic in butter in large skillet over medium-high heat until light brown.
• Add rice and parsley; stir until thoroughly heated.

EGGPLANT PILAF WITH PINE NUTS AND CUMIN

Steps:

• Cover the eggplant with water in a bowl and add about 1 1/2 tablespoons salt. Soak 30 minutes. Drain eggplant and squeeze by handfuls to remove excess moisture, then pat dry.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 12" nonstick skillet over medium high heat until hot but not smoking, and sauté eggplant, stirring occasionally, until tender and browned, about 7 minutes. Cool eggplant.
• Cook onions in remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a 3-4 quart heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring, until softened. Add rice and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups water, raisins, remaining 1/2 tablespoon salt, cumin and cinnamon and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered and undisturbed, until rice is tender, about 12 minutes.
• Fluff rice with a fork and gently stir in tomato and eggplant. Let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Uncover and cool 10 minutes. Stir in dill, then transfer pilaf to a serving bowl or platter and sprinkle with pine nuts(or pistachios).
• The pilaf can be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Reheat in the microwave.
• Makes 6 servings.