Savory Rice Pilaf With Lavender Apricots Recipes

BASMATI RICE PILAF WITH DRIED FRUITS AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Place the rice in a medium bowl and add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Using your hands, gently swish the grains to release any excess starch. Carefully pour off the water, leaving the rice in the bowl. Repeat four to five times, until the water runs almost clear. Using a fine mesh strainer, drain the water from rice. Place the strainer over a bowl and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a pot over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring regularly, until softened but not browned, about 4 minutes. Add the cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, and garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds longer. Add the rice to the pot, and cook, stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes. Add the water, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until all the liquid is absorbed, 15 to 18 minutes. Off the heat, remove the lid and sprinkle the dried fruit over the rice (do not mix in). Place the lid over the pot and let stand for 10 minutes. Toss in the toasted almonds, fluff the rice with a fork, and serve.

SAVORY RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. add celery and onion and cook over medium heat until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Add rice and stir to coat. Cook 1-2 minutes, to slightly toast the rice (it will probably not color). Pour in broth, along with a pinch of salt and pepper.
• Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and let cook another 15 minutes or so, until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Fluff rice with a fork and fold in cooked squash and spinach. Garnish with almonds just before serving.

BASMATI RICE PILAF WITH APRICOTS

Steps:

• Put the apricots and lemon zest in the 2 cups of cold water. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the garam masala, and toast, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the onion and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender and translucent, about 6 minutes.
• Stir in the rice and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to brown, about 4 minutes. Stir in the water along with the apricots, lemon zest, the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, wrap a clean dish towel around the saucepan lid, and cover saucepan. Cook for 10 minutes, set aside for 5 minutes undisturbed, then remove lid and fluff with a fork. Mound the pilaf on a serving platter or in a shallow bowl, tear the mint over, and top with the nuts.
• Game Plan: Toast the nuts while the rice cooks.

SAVORY RICE PILAF WITH LAVENDER & APRICOTS

Steps:

• Melt butter in medium saucepan; gradually add onion and celery; cook until wilted. Add garlic and rice; stir until thoroughly coated with butter.
• Add broth, ginger, lavender and salt.
• Bring to boil; reduce heat to low.
• Cover and cook without stirring until liquid is absorbed.
• When rice is tender, stir in currants, apricots, and lemon juice.
• Remove from heat and let stand covered to soften fruits.
• Add nuts and herbs and mix well.
• Serve immediately.

SAVORY TURKISH PILAF

Steps:

• Heat the butter over medium heat and sauté the lamb until brown.
• Remove the meat from pan and keep hot.
• In the same butter, cook the onion until it is soft but not brown.
• Add the nuts and rice and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Add the tomato through the bouillon; the dish will sizzle.
• Stir and cover tightly.
• Reduce heat to the lowest possible heat and cook until the rice is tender and all the liquid absorbed (20-30 minutes).
• Return the lamb to the rice and heat thoroughly.
• Let stand, covered, in a warm place 15 minutes without cooking.
• Sprinkle on parsley or mint.

SAFFRON RICE PILAF WITH APRICOTS AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion, ground saffron and cloves and saut&5 minutes. Add rice and stir to coat grains. Mix in chicken stock, dried apricots and currants. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Fluff rice with fork. Add slivered almonds and season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl and serve.

SAVORY RICE PILAF

Steps:

• In a large saucepan add butter and onion.
• Saute together until tender.
• Add chicken broth,mushrooms and peas.
• Stir and bring to a boil.
• Stir in Minute made rice, cover pan and remove from heat. Let Stand 5 minutes
• Stir with fork and serve.