Southwestern Pilaf Food

RICE-PASTA PILAF

Steps:

• Toast 1/2 cup broken spaghetti in a pot over medium-high heat with 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in 1 cup rice; add 2 cups chicken broth, 1 cup water, 2 garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon salt. Boil 3 minutes, then stir, cover and simmer 15 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes; fluff with a fork and smash the garlic. Stir in some butter and cilantro.

FARRO PILAF

Steps:

• Saute 1 chopped small onion in 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat, 5 to 7 minutes; season with kosher salt and pepper. Stir in 1 cup farro and 1/4 cup golden raisins; add 2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer, cover, reduce the heat to medium low and cook until the water is absorbed, 35 minutes. Stir and top with chopped salted pistachios and parsley.

SOUTHWESTERN RICE WITH CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Combine all ingredients in a large bowl (reserving 3 tablespoons of cheese). Spoon into buttered souffle dish. Top with reserved cheese and sprinkle lightly with paprika. Bake until top is golden, 25 to 30 minutes.

SOUTHWESTERN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Heat oil in large saucepan; saute onion until softened.
• Add next four ingredients (garlic through oregano) and cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.
• Add rice and stir until grains are coated with oil.
• Add broth, tomatoes, and chiles; bring to boil and add corn.
• Reduce heat to low, cover and cook until rice is tender, about 25 minutes.
• Season with hot pepper sauce and serve with cilantro and scallions.

SOUTHWESTERN PILAF

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan with tight fitting lid, bring the chicken broth to a boil, stir in rice and barley; cover and cook for 30 minutes.
• Stir in diced carrot, cover and continue to cook for an additional 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and grains are tender.
• While the grains are cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet, stir in garlic and chopped onion and cook until onion is tender.
• Stir in the corn and beans, heat until warmed; add jalapeño pepper, red bell pepper, cumin and oregano.
• When the grains are cooked, add to skillet, stirring to combine.
• Sprinkle in the cilantro, combine well; cover and allow to stand 5 minutes before serving.
• Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

SOUTHWEST CHICKEN TENDERS AND RICE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Lay a large piece of aluminum foil on the counter.
• Combine the salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder and oregano in a small bowl.
• Arrange the chicken on the foil in a single layer. Use half the seasoning mixture to sprinkle the tenderloins evenly on both sides.
• Cut one of the limes in half, squeezing all of its juice evenly over the chicken. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of the oil. Rub the chicken on both sides to evenly distribute the spices, juice and oil. Let sit for 10 minutes.
• Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a 4-quart shallow braising pan, ovenproof skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add half of the spice-rubbed chicken; cook, turning once, until lightly browned on both sides. It's not necessary to cook comletely through. Transfer to a plate; repeat with the remaining chicken.
• Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion, bell pepper and a pinch of salt to the pan, plus more oil if needed; cook, stirring, for 4 minutes or until the vegetables have softened. Add the tomato paste and the remaining spice mixture; cook, stirring to combine, for 1 minute. Add the rice and stir to incorporate. Add the broth; increase the heat to medium-high and stir to combine; cook until the broth begins to boil.
• Cover and transfer to the oven. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove from the oven and arrange the cooked chicken tenders over the rice. Cover and bake for 8 minutes, then check to see whether the rice has cooked through and all of the broth has been absorbed; if not, bake for 5 minutes or until rice has cooked through. Remove from the oven, uncover and sprinkle with cheese and cilantro.
• Serve right from the cooking vessel at the table, shielding the hot handles with pot holders. Cut the remaining lime into wedges to serve on the side.

ARIZONA SOUTHWEST RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a heavy large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add onion, red pepper, carrot and celery.
• Saute until vegetables begin to soften, about 7 minutes.
• Add rice and stir to coat well.
• Add broth and bring to a boil.
• Cover skillet, reduce heat to low and simmer until rice is tender and broth is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
• Mix in tomato and jalapeno; heat through.
• Serve.