Mixed Rice Pilaf With Dried Cherries Apricots And Cinnamon Food

MIXED RICE PILAF WITH DRIED CHERRIES, APRICOTS AND CINNAMON

Steps:

• In a large, wide saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and saute, stirring until golden, about 5 mins. Add the curry powder and stir to blend. Stir in the brown basmati rice, wild rice, cinnamon stick and orange zest. Cook stirring for 2 mins. Add the stock, aprictos and cherries and increase the heat to high. Bring to a boil stirring once. Cover, reduce the heat to med-low and cook until the stock is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 55 mins. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 10 mins. Meanwhile in small dry fry pan over med-low heat, toast the almonds, stirring constantly until golden about 3 mins. Remove from heat. Spoon pilaf into a warmed serving bowl, discarding the cinnamon stick and orange zest. Sprinkle with the toasted almonds and additional orange zest. Serve immediately.

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.

PAN-FRIED PORK CHOPS WITH QUINOA PILAF AND DRIED FRUIT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°; In a small skillet, combine 1/4 cup of the stock with the shallot and garlic and cook over moderate heat for 2 minutes; Add the quinoa, wheat berries, thyme and bay leaf; Add 1 cup of the stock and bring to a simmer; Scrape the mixture into a 9-inch square baking dish, cover with foil and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the quinoa and wheat berries are tender; Remove the pilaf from the oven and keep covered.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet; Season the pork chops with salt and pepper and brown them in the skillet over moderately high heat, about 4 minutes per side; Transfer to a plate; Add the dried pears, apricots and cherries to the skillet and cook for 1 minute; Add the port and cook for 1 minute; Add the remaining 1 cup of stock and simmer over moderately high heat until reduced to 1/3 cup, about 5 minutes; Add the pork chops and any accumulated juices and cook over moderate heat, turning the pork a few times, until it is hot and just cooked, about 2 minutes.
• Uncover the pilaf and fluff it with a fork; season with salt and pepper. Mound the pilaf on plates. Set the pork chops on the pilaf, top with the fruit sauce and serve.

RICE PILAF WITH DRIED CHERRIES AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• 1.Cook and stir almonds in large nonstick skillet over medium heat until lightly browned. Remove from skillet; cool.
• 2.Melt margarine in skillet over low heat. Add rice and onion; cook and stir until rice is lightly browned. Add broth and water. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, 15 minutes.
• 3.Stir in almonds and cherries. Simmer 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.

FRAGRANT RICE PILAF

Steps:

• 1. Combine the cumin, saffron and salt. Set aside.
• 2. Heat the butter and oil in a pot over low heat. Add the onion and wilt, stirring, for 5 minutes. Add garlic and carrots; cook 5 minutes more, sprinkling with the spice mixture.
• 3. Add the rice and cook for 1 minute, stirring to mix well. Add the broth and cherries. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, covered, until all the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork. Serve hot.