Another Pilaf Food

RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350.
• Melt the butter in a 3-quart saucier over medium heat.
• Stir in the onion, bell pepper and 2 pinches of salt.
• Decrease the heat to low and sweat until the onion is translucent and aromatic but not browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Increase the heat to medium and add the rice. Cook, stirring frequently, until you smell nuts, another 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the saffron and its water, the broth, orange zest, bay leaves and the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Increase the heat and bring to a boil.
• OK, now the weird part: Thoroughly wet a clean towel, kill the heat, scatter the peas on top of the rice, then place the towel across the top of the saucier. Top with the lid, then fold the towel corners up over the lid.
• Transfer the saucier (towel and all) to the oven and bake 15 minutes.
• Remove and rest at room temperature for 15 more minutes without opening the lid.
• Fish out the orange zest and bay leaves. Turn the pilaf out onto a platter, fluff with a large fork and garnish with the raisins and pistachios. Serve family-style, right in the middle of the table.

EASY PILAF

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Prepare a 1 quart baking dish with butter.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the onion in the butter until translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the rice; cook until the rice is slightly golden. Pour in the chicken broth. Season with the salt. Simmer another 5 minutes. Transfer to the prepared dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the broth is completely absorbed, 35 to 40 minutes. Fluff with a fork to serve.

WINTER PILAF

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a pan and gently fry the onions and garlic until softened, about 5 mins. Add the spices and rice, then stir-fry for 1-2 mins. Pour in the hot stock and simmer until the stock is nearly all absorbed, about 20-25 mins. Stir in the turkey, add seasoning, then continue cooking until warmed through. Scatter over the nuts and coriander. Divide between two bowls and serve with a dollop of cranberry sauce.

BAKED GRAINS PILAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onion, celery, bell pepper, and corn in the hot oil until softened, about 10 minutes.
• Mix onion mixture, millet, quinoa, and salt together in an 8x8-inch casserole dish; pour in chicken stock. Cover dish with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until grains are tender and have absorbed all the liquid, about 30 minutes.

ANOTHER PILAF

Steps:

• Place the rice, parsley, butter, salt, pepper, consomme, allspice and cinnamon into a shallow dish.
• Mix well, cover and bake in a 350 degree oven for 50 - 60 minutes.
• Once the rice is cooked, fluff with a fork and add the pistachios, ginger, raisins and cranberries. Mix and serve.
• This dish is wonderful served with pork or chicken.

HERBED LENTIL PILAF

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat the oil and cook the red onion, ground coriander and garlic over a low heat for 5 minutes, or until the onion has softened.
• Stir in the rice and 2 cups of water (17 fl oz). Cover the pan and bring to the boil.
• Reduce the heat and simmer gently for approx 10 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed.
• Remove the pan from the heat, fluff the rice with a fork amd leave covered for another 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the dressing. In a glass jar with a lid, combine all of the dressing ingredients and shake vigorously to mix.
• Add the rinsed and drained lentils to the rice along with the chopped spring onions and herbs. Pour over the dressing and mix well.

KALE AND QUINOA PILAF

Steps:

• Bring the water to a boil in a covered pot. Add the quinoa, cover, and lower the heat until it is just enough to maintain a simmer. Let simmer for 10 minutes, then top with the kale and re-cover. Simmer another 5 minutes, then turn off the heat and allow to steam for 5 more minutes.
• While the quinoa is cooking, take a large serving bowl and combine half of the lemon juice (reserving the other half), all of the lemon zest, scallions, walnut oil (you can substitute olive oil if you desire), pine nuts.
• Check the quinoa and kale when the cooking time has completed -- the water should have absorbed, and the quinoa will be tender but firm, and the kale tender and bright green. If the quinoa still has a hard white center, you can steam a bit longer (adding more water if needed). When the quinoa and kale are done, fluff the pilaf, and tip it into the waiting bowl with the remaining ingredients. As the hot quinoa hits the scallions and lemon it should smell lovely. Toss to combine, seasoning with salt and pepper, and the remaining lemon juice if needed.

MACADAMIA AND PINEAPPLE RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
• In an oven-proof and flame-proof casserole, set over medium heat, melt the butter and add the rice. Stir for a few seconds, until the butter coats the rice. Add the garlic and stir for a few seconds (not long enough for the rice to change color).
• Add the red and yellow peppers and cook for a few seconds. Add the stock and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Add the raisins, nuts, sage and salt. Cover and place in the oven. Bake for about 18 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let rest for about 10 minutes. Add the chopped cilantro and pineapple. Season if necessary and serve.
• Note: If you use salted macadamia nuts, you won't have to add the salt in the recipe.

GOLDEN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Gently warm the stock with the saffron in a small saucepan while you proceed with the recipe.
• Put butter in a large deep skillet that can later be covered and turn the heat to medium.
• Add the onion and a large pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion turns translucent.
• Add the rice and cook, stirring occasionally, until the rice is glossy and begins to brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add the warm stock and stir. Bring to a boil, cook for 1 or 2 minutes, then reduce heat to low and cover.
• Cook for 15 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed.
• Turn the heat to the absolute minimum (if you have an electric stove turn off the heat) and let rest another 15 to 20 minutes.
• Stir in parsley and lemon juice.