Bourani Greek Rice Pilaf With Bell Peppers Tomatoes Food

GREEK RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium size skillet over medium high heat. Add the rice and onion and sauté until both are translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the water with 1 heaping tablespoon of tomato paste, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pan. Simmer until the rice is just done, 20 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste, and the nutmeg, if using. Sprinkle with the parsley, if desired. Fluff with a fork and serve.
• NOTES: Not caring much for the flavor of plain water, a Greek cook who does not have stock on hand will usually flavor the water with tomato paste: about 1 tablespoon tomato paste to 1 cup water. This can be used for bulgur pilaf as well.
• As with bulgur pilaf, the quantity can easily be doubled, tripled, or more: Use 1 1/4 times as much liquid as rice. Be sure to increase the amount of olive oil and onion as you increase the rice and liquid.
• Adventures In Greek Cooking.

RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a heavy, wide, lidded pan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add onion, red pepper, and kosher salt. Sweat the onions and peppers until aromatic, stirring constantly. Add the rice and stir to coat. Continue stirring until rice smells nutty. Add chicken broth, orange zest, saffron and water, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Stir once, then cover pan with moistened dish towel (or tea towel). Place lid on pan and fold towel corners over lid. Bake for 15 minutes. Then rest at room temperature for 10 to 20 minutes without removing the cover.
• Meanwhile, simmer peas in salted water until heated through or heat in a microwave.
• Remove lid from rice and turn out onto a platter. Add peas and fluff with a large fork. Add raisins and pistachios.

BELL PEPPER AND RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add onion and bell peppers and sauté until tender, about 12 minutes. Add rice, cumin and chili powder; stir 1 minute. Add broth and bring to boil, stirring occasionally. Cover pot. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until rice si tender and broth is absorbed, about 25 minutes. Season pilaf to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.

TOMATO RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a small Dutch oven or large saucepan, add the onions, and cook over low heat for 10 minutes, or until translucent but not brown.
• Stir in the rice and 2 teaspoons of salt and cook over low heat for 5 minutes.
• Add the hot stock and the saffron and cook, covered, over the lowest heat for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
• Optional, transfer the rice to a baking dish, add the stock and bake at 350 F for 50-60 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
• Meanwhile, in a medium sauté pan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, add the garlic, and cook over low heat for 50 seconds. Add the drained diced tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes, stirring from time to time. When the rice is done, add the tomato mixture, 3/4 teaspoon salt, the pepper, parsley, and Parmesan, Stir with a fork, season to taste, and serve hot.

SWEET BELL PEPPER RICE

Steps:

• Bring water and rice to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir onion in the hot oil until tender, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and continue to cook and stir until onion is translucent, 2 to 3 minutes more. Stir green bell pepper and red bell pepper into onion mixture; cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Season with basil, oregano, black pepper, and salt.
• Pour wine into vegetable mixture and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer until liquid is reduced, about 5 minutes. Stir rice into vegetables. Top with Parmesan cheese before serving.