Almond Currant Rice Recipes

BASMATI RICE PILAF WITH DRIED FRUITS AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Place the rice in a medium bowl and add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Using your hands, gently swish the grains to release any excess starch. Carefully pour off the water, leaving the rice in the bowl. Repeat four to five times, until the water runs almost clear. Using a fine mesh strainer, drain the water from rice. Place the strainer over a bowl and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a pot over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring regularly, until softened but not browned, about 4 minutes. Add the cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, and garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds longer. Add the rice to the pot, and cook, stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes. Add the water, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until all the liquid is absorbed, 15 to 18 minutes. Off the heat, remove the lid and sprinkle the dried fruit over the rice (do not mix in). Place the lid over the pot and let stand for 10 minutes. Toss in the toasted almonds, fluff the rice with a fork, and serve.

ALMOND CURRANT RICE

Steps:

• Prepare rice according to package directions, adding butter and salt. Just before serving, stir in almonds and currants.

ALMOND RICE PILAF

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, saute onion and almonds in butter until onion is tender and almonds are lightly browned. Add broth; bring to a boil. Stir in rice. Cover and remove from the heat. Let stand for 5-8 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.

ALMOND RICE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring the water, rice and butter to a boil. Remove from the heat. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes or until water is absorbed. Stir in the almonds, salt and pepper. Sprinkle with parsley.

RICE SALAD WITH CURRANTS, ALMONDS AND PISTACHIOS

Steps:

• Bring 8 cups water to a boil in a large pot. Add the rice and 2 tablespoons salt. Boil rice as you would pasta, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes until done, but still al dente. Drain and spread out on a rimmed baking sheet to cool.
• Once cool, transfer rice to a large salad bowl. In a small bowl, stir together olive oil, tahini, lemon juice and lemon zest. Add salt and pepper to taste. Gently fold mixture into rice.
• Add currants, almonds, pistachios, chives, mint, savory and parsley. Toss to distribute. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more lemon juice or salt as necessary. Serve at room temperature.

CURRANT-AND-ALMOND PILAF

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium. Add rice. Cook, stirring, until lightly toasted, about 5 minutes. Add water or reduced-sodium chicken broth and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Remove pan from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Stir in currants and almonds. Season with coarse salt and ground pepper.

ALMOND & CINNAMON RICE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 110C/fan 90C/gas 1⁄4. Heat the olive oil in a small ovenproof saucepan and soften the onion for 2 mins, making sure not to colour. Add the rice, lemon thyme, bay leaf,150ml water, then bring to the boil. Season, cover with a lid and cook in the oven for 20 mins until the rice is completely tender.
• When the rice is cooked, stir in the almonds, cinnamon, currants and lemon juice, then season, if you like. Set aside, then gently reheat to piping hot when required.

RICE WITH CURRANTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a heavy saucepan with tight-fitting lid and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until onion is wilted. Add the rice and cook, stirring, about 30 seconds. Add all the remaining ingredients except the 1 tablespoon butter and bring to a boil.
• Cover and place in the oven. Cook exactly 17 minutes. Uncover and stir. Discard the bay leaf. Fluff rice with a fork and stir in the remaining butter.

RICE AND CHICKEN PILAF WITH DRIED CURRANTS AND TOASTED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large deep skillet (preferably nonstick) over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until golden, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Add chicken and garlic to skillet; sauté until chicken is no longer pink, about 4 minutes. Stir in rice, currants, and cinnamon sticks. Add broth and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook until rice is tender and most liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl. Discard cinnamon. Sprinkle with almonds.