Spiced Vegetable Pilaf Food

SPICED VEGETABLE PILAF

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. In boiling water, cook carrots for 4 mins, tipping in onions for the last min of cooking. Drain and mix in a roasting tin with 4 tsp oil, the cumin and seasoning. Roast for 30 mins, while you cook the rice.
• Heat remaining 2 tsp oil in a large pan. Add cardamom and cinnamon for 30 secs, then add rice and toast for 1 min. Pour over stock and 100ml water, then simmer, covered, for 25-30 mins, until rice is tender and the water absorbed. Remove cinnamon and cardamom.
• Tip in lentils and fork through before topping with spinach. Put lid back on and cook over a low heat, stirring once, until spinach has wilted and lentils heated through. Fork through again before tipping the cumin roasted veg onto the top and sprinkling with almonds, if using.

SPICED LAMB PILAF

Steps:

• Put the oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Add the onion to the pan and cook until soft and translucent, about 15 mins. Add the garlic and spices, and stir in for 2 mins.
• Crumble the stock cubes into 1.2 litres of just-boiled water. Add the rice and shredded lamb to the pan. Stir well to coat the grains in the oil and spices, then pour over the stock. Bring to the boil, then cover with a lid and lower the heat. Cook for 12 mins or until the rice is tender and the stock absorbed.
• Once the rice is ready, remove from the heat and add the raisins, spring onions, tomatoes and herbs, mixing well. Season to taste and serve topped with more herbs, almonds and a drizzle of natural yogurt.

SPICY BULGUR VEGETABLE PILAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Spread the nuts on a baking sheet and toast until fragrant and golden, 7 to 10 minutes. Check frequently, as they can burn quickly. Cool before using.
• Bring 1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the chipotle chile, adobo sauce, coriander, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 minute. Add the bulgur and the boiling water. Cover, remove from the heat, and let stand until the bulgur is tender, about 25 minutes.
• Fluff the bulgur with a fork and pour into a large bowl. Toss with the arugula, green peas, parsley, dill and walnuts. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and the vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature.
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SPICY SCALLOPS WITH VEGETABLE RICE PILAF

Steps:

• To make the spice mixture: In a small bowl, stir together the paprika, garlic and onion powders, thyme, cayenne, white pepper, salt and black pepper. Measure out 1 1/2 teaspoons to use on the scallops. Store the remaining spice mixture in a tightly covered container at room temperature for up to 4 weeks.
• To make the pilaf, in a heavy saucepan over high heat, bring the water and salt to a boil. Slowly add the rice, reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for 20 minutes. Uncover and check to see if the rice is tender and all the water has been absorbed. If not, re-cover and continue to cook for a few more minutes.
• Meanwhile, if using fresh peas, bring a small saucepan three-fourths full of water to a boil. Add the peas and boil until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and set aside. If using frozen peas, set them aside.
• Just before the rice is ready, in a fry pan over medium-high heat, fry the bacon until it starts to brown at the edges, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel to drain, then chop into 1/4-inch pieces. Return the pan to medium-high heat, add the red onion and green onion to the bacon fat remaining in the pan, and sauté until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes, reducing the heat as needed. Stir in the cooked fresh or frozen peas.
• Transfer the rice to a large bowl. Add the vegetables and bacon and, using a fork, combine them, taking care not to mash the rice. Cover the bowl to keep the rice warm and set aside.
• To make the scallops: Sprinkle the 1 1/2 teaspoons spice mixture over the scallop halves, turning to coat evenly on both sides.
• In a large, nonstick fry pan over medium-high heat, warm the canola oil. Add the scallops in a single layer. Cook until seared and slightly blackened around the edges, 2 to 3 minutes. Using tongs, turn the scallops and sear on the other side, about 2 minutes.
• Mound one-fourth of the rice in the center of each warmed individual plate. Arrange one-fourth of the scallops around each mound of rice. Accompany with lemon wedges and serve immediately.

SPICED RICE PILAF

Steps:

• In large saucepan, cook onion in olive oil until tender. Stir in rice and spices. Cook, stirring constantly, until rice begins to turn golden.
• Pour in broth and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Do not lift lid while cooking.
• Remove from heat and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes undisturbed.
• Then add the chopped spinach, raisins, and almonds, stirring, and fluffing with a fork. Sprinkle with rose water, and fluff a little bit more, if desired.