Rice Pilaf With Raisins And Veggies Recipes

ARMENIAN RICE PILAF WITH RAISINS AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• In a 5- to 6-quart pan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Break or crush the vermicelli into 1-inch lengths. Add the pasta and rice to the butter and stir often until golden, about 5-8 minutes, being careful not to burn the vermicelli.
• Add the broth, allspice and salt and pepper. Bring to a full boil over high heat, then cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until rice is tender to bite, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a sauté pan over medium heat, melt remaining 1 or 2 tablespoons butter. Add the almonds and stir often until golden, about 5 minutes. Add the raisins and stir until they puff, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Stir peas if using, parsley and lemon juice into rice. Cover and simmer until peas are hot, about 3-4 minutes.
• Pour pilaf into a serving bowl or on a platter and sprinkle with the raisin and nut mixture over the top. (Diced dried dates, figs, apricots or chopped walnuts may also be used in this topping.)

RICE PILAF WITH RAISINS AND VEGGIES

Steps:

• Bring chicken broth to boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat; continue simmering while preparing remaining ingredients.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir celery, onion, green onion white portions, garlic, curry powder, and salt in the hot oil until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer vegetables to a bowl.
• Cook and stir rice in the same skillet until lightly toasted, about 3 minutes.
• Stir toasted rice into boiling chicken broth. Reduce heat to medium-low; continue simmering until rice is tender and broth is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
• Remove rice from heat and stir in raisins, green onion tops, and celery mixture until well blended.

RAISIN BROWN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, saute onion and garlic in oil until tender. Stir in rice, raisins and cinnamon stick; saute until rice is golden. Add broth and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Discard cinnamon stick. Sprinkle with almonds.

RICE PILAF WITH LAMB, CARROTS, AND RAISINS

Steps:

• Wash rice in several changes of cold water in a bowl until water is almost clear. Soak rice in cold water 1 hour, then drain well in a sieve.
• While rice soaks, cook onion in oil in a wide 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until pale golden, about 5 minutes. Pat lamb dry and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt. Add to onion and brown on all sides, about 8 minutes total. Add 1 cup water and bring to a simmer. Cover pot and reduce heat to low, then braise lamb, stirring occasionally, until meat is tender, about 45 minutes.
• Stir in drained rice, carrots, raisins, and 2 teaspoons salt. Add enough water to cover mixture by 1 inch (3 1/2 to 4 cups) and bring to a boil, uncovered, over medium-high heat. Wrap a kitchen towel around lid with ends of towel on top, then cover pot and boil over medium heat 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed, about 30 minutes.
• Fluff rice with a fork and transfer pilaf to a large platter. Top with kebabs and serve with yogurt sauce.