Rice Pilaf African 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.

WILD RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium saucepan, add the onion, and cook over low heat for 5 to 10 minutes, until translucent. Add 5 cups of water, 2 teaspoons of salt, and the wild rice. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to very low, and simmer, covered, for 50 minutes to 1 hour, until the rice is tender. Drain well.
• Place the drained rice in a bowl, add the remaining tablespoon of butter, the scallions, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and the pepper. Taste for seasonings and serve hot.

MOROCCAN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Melt butter on medium-low heat in a small ovenproof pot.
• Fold in onions and stir well.
• Cook for 3-4 minutes until onions turn translucent but are not browned.
• Add cumin, cayenne pepper, paprika and rice.
• Stir well so that the rice is evenly coated with butter.
• Cook for 3-4 minutes.
• Stir in stock and raisins.
• Bring to a boil on high heat.
• Once the stock comes to a boil, cover the pot and let the pilaf cook in the oven for 18 minutes.
• Fold in salt, pepper and almonds before fluffing with a fork and serving.
• Enjoy!

ARMENIAN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Melt butter in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the egg noodles and stir until they begin to brown, being careful not to burn the butter. Stir in the rice. Continue stirring until rice is coated with butter.
• Pour in the chicken broth and add the bouillon cubes. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and cover tightly. Cook without uncovering pot until all the liquid has been absorbed, about 20 minutes.

RICE PILAF (AFRICAN)

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat the oil and saute the onions until soft.
• Stir in the rice and cook, stirring frequently, for 4 minutes.
• Add the raisins, chili, lime zest, cinnamon sticks, cardamon, salt and 4 cups of water and stir well.
• Cover the pan and simmer for 15-18 minutes or until the rice has absorbed all the liquid.
• Meanwhile, lightly toast the slivered almonds in a dry frying pan.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and fluff up the rice with a fork.
• Stir in the almonds, parsley and season to taste before serving.