Aromatic Peas And Carrot Pilaf For One Food

PEAS AND CARROTS

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a saute pan over medium heat. Add the carrots and saute until they are tender. Add the peas and salt and pepper to taste and saute until they are thawed and cooked through. Stir in the chopped basil before serving.

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.

AROMATIC PEAS AND CARROT PILAF FOR ONE

Steps:

• Wash the rice well; drain.
• Melt butter/margarine/ghee in a saucepan over low to medium heat.
• Saute garlic paste/powder/minced garlic in butter for about 15 seconds, then add the chopped onions and saute until browned, about 5-10 minutes.
• Add the rice, cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, peppercorns, and cloves to the onion-garlic mixture and saute for 10-15 minutes or until the rice is evenly browned.
• Now add carrots, peas, salt, and water, stir, bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and cook, without stirring, until the rice is tender, about 15-20 minutes.
• Uncover and evaporate excess water if any, remove from flame, and fluff up with a fork.
• Season with extra salt and pepper, if necessary, and serve hot!

SPICED CARROT, CHICKPEA & ALMOND PILAF

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a lidded casserole dish. Add the onions and cook for 8 mins, until soft. Tip in the carrots, harissa and rice and stir for a couple of mins. Pour over the stock, bring to the boil, then cover with the lid and simmer for 10 mins.
• Fork through the chickpeas and cook gently for 3-5 mins more, until the grains of rice are tender and all the liquid has been absorbed. Season, turn off the heat, cover and leave to sit for a few mins.
• Sprinkle the almonds over the rice mixture and serve with a dollop of yogurt.

BASMATI RICE PILAF WITH CAULIFLOWER, CARROTS AND PEAS

Steps:

• Soak basmati rice in water to cover for 30 minutes (prepare the other ingredients during this time). Drain.
• In a large, heavy saucepan melt butter over medium high heat and add rice. Cook, stirring, until grains are coated with butter, 2 to 3 minutes. Add 2 cups water and salt to taste (I use about 3/4 teaspoon). Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 12 to 15 minutes, until water is absorbed. Do not lift lid or stir rice during this time. Remove from heat, remove lid and place a dish towel over the pan. Return lid and let sit undisturbed for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat olive oil over medium heat in a heavy skillet or a wide saucepan and add shallots or onion. Cook, stirring often, until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes for shallots, 4 to 5 minutes for onion. Add carrots, cauliflower, dill or parsley, cardamom, allspice, cinnamon, sugar, currants or raisins, and salt and pepper to taste, and stir together. Add remaining 3/4 cup water and bring to a simmer. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add peas, turn up heat and cook another 5 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and fragrant, and most of the water has evaporated. If there is more than a tablespoon of water in the pan, drain.
• Transfer rice to a large bowl or a large buttered or oiled baking dish. Stir toasted pine nuts and the vegetable and spice mixture into the rice. Add wild rice and toss together. Taste and adjust seasoning. If not serving right away, cover baking dish with foil. Reheat in a 325-degree oven for about 20 minutes.

PEAS AND POTATOES MASALA

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; sauté until golden, about 6 minutes. Add tomatoes with their juices, potato, cumin and allspice. Cover; simmer until potato is just tender, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add tofu, peas and cilantro. Simmer uncovered until vegetables are tender, about 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

CARROT PILAF

Steps:

• In a saucepan, saute carrots and onion in butter until tender. Add rice and stir to coat. Stir in broth and lemon-pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 20 minutes or until rice is tender.

GLAZED CARROTS WITH PEAS

Steps:

• Place the carrots in a medium-size saucepan with 125ml water, 50g butter, 1 tsp sugar and ½ tsp sea salt. Bring the liquid to a simmer, cover, then cook over a low heat for 10-12 mins, stirring occasionally. Turn the heat up, then cook, uncovered, for 10-12 mins, stirring occasionally until all the liquid evaporates and they are glossy and coated,.
• Towards the end of this time, place the peas in a medium-size saucepan with remaining butter and sugar, ½ tsp salt and 50ml water. Bring this to a simmer over a high heat, then cook for several mins, stirring or tossing the peas frequently until they are tender and have turned a beautiful luscious green. Drain and combine these in a serving dish with the carrots. Tuck in a few mint leaves, if you like.

CARROT BROWN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, saute onion and carrots in butter until tender. Add rice; cook and stir for 3-4 minutes or until rice is lightly browned., Stir in the stock, parsley, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 40-45 minutes or until rice is tender. Fluff with a fork.

BROWN RICE AND CARROT PILAF

Steps:

• Melt butter in a 2 quart pan at med-high heat.
• Add onion and carrot and cook about 5 minutes.
• Stir in rice and cook until rice browns slightly.
• Add stock and seasonings.
• Cover and simmer until rice is tender, about 45 minutes.
• Stir in parsley and sprouts just before serving.