Basmati And Nut Pilaf Food

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.

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.

BASMATI RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Heat chicken stock in a saucepan until boiling; keep hot until ready to use.
• Heat vegetable oil in a 2 quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook and stir onion and bay leaf in the hot oil until onion is tender, about 5 minutes.
• Stir basmati rice into onion mixture until rice is coated with oil.
• Pour hot chicken stock into the rice mixture. Season with salt; stir.
• Bring rice mixture to a boil; cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Continue simmering until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
• Remove saucepan from heat and discard bay leaf. Add butter and fluff the rice with a fork.

BASMATI RICE PILAF

Steps:

• In a medium pot, heat oil over medium. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, 5 minutes. Add rice; cook, stirring, until rice is translucent at edges, 2 minutes.
• Add 2 1/2 cups water and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over high; cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

EASY RICE PILAF WITH PEAS AND CARROTS

Steps:

• Wash the rice very well a few times until the water is clear. You can let it soak in water for about 10 minutes or so while preparing the rest of the ingredients.
• In a large heavy pan with a lid, heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes, tossing regularly until softened. Add the peas and carrots. Season with a good pinch of kosher salt. Add the spices and mix to combine. Cook for another 5 minutes or so, tossing regularly until the carrots have softened.
• Drain the rice well and add it to the pan. Toss around to make sure the rice is well-coated with the spices. Pour in 2 ¼ cup of water. And season well with a big dash of kosher salt. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to low. Cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until the rice is cooked through and has absorbed all the liquid.
• Allow the rice about 5 to 10 minutes to rest before serving.
• Serve with the nuts and raisins on top.

NUTTY BASMATI PILAF

Steps:

• Wash rice in a sieve under cold running water until water runs mostly clear.
• Place rice in a bowl with fresh cold water, and let sit 30 minutes.
• Drain well.
• Heat oil in a larger sauté pan, and lightly sauté the onion and garlic until translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Add the rice, cumin seeds, coriander, cardamom and bay leaf.
• Toss rice to coat well with the seasonings, and lightly sauté 2 minutes.
• Add broth, and season with salt and pepper.
• Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to low, and cook 10 minutes.
• (Do not lift lid.) Remove from heat and allow to sit 5 minutes before lifting lid.
• Add nuts and toss to combine.
• Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro.
• For Vegetarians use the vegetable broth.

BASMATI-SUN-DRIED TOMATO RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium heat until hot.
• Add shallots; sauté 1 to 2 minutes or until soft.
• Add rice; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Add tomatoes, salt, pepper and stock; mix well.
• Cover; bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low; simmer 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
• Place in serving bowl; top with cheese.

BASMATI PILAFF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to fan 160C/conventional 180C/gas 4. You will need a medium casserole with a lid. Rinse the rice well in a large bowl of water, then drain.
• Melt two-thirds of the butter in the casserole and sauté the onion for about 5 minutes. Add the rice, stir well, then add the herbs, whole spices and lemon zest and cook for a minute. Now pour in the boiling stock or water and mix into the rice, along with 1½ tsp sea salt and ground black pepper to taste.
• Cover and bake for 25 minutes. Leave to stand for 5 minutes, then remove the lid and fork through the remaining butter until the rice is fluffy and separated.

BASMATI & MUSHROOM PILAF

Steps:

• In heavy 2 quart saucepan (with a ice tight lid), saute uncooked rice and garlic in butter until rice is lightly browned.
• Add mushrooms and saute for 2 more minutes.
• Add stock, salt and pepper.
• Bring to a boil.
• Cover and reduce heat.
• Simmer for 20 minutes or until water is absorbed.
• Stir in almonds and parsley.