Cumin Rice Pilaf Recipes

JEERA (CUMIN) RICE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium size saucepan over a medium-high heat. Drop in the cumin seeds, and cook until they splutter. Do not allow the cumin seeds to burn or become really dark brown in color. Add the rice and fry it in the oil for about 1 minute.
• Add the water and salt and bring to a boil. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan. Cook the rice for approximately 15 minutes. If you feel the rice is getting burnt near the base of the pan as it cooks, one trick is to place the saucepan on another flat pan or griddle which is directly on the flame. Toss with a fork.

CUMIN CRUSTED SALMON WITH ORANGE RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Wash salmon fillets and pat dry. In a small dish mix together the cumin through black pepper. Rub over salmon fillets and allow to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Rinse the rice well under cold running water. In a large pot, bring 12 cups of water to a boil, add in rice, stir once and boil uncovered for 30 minutes. Place a stainer in the sink and pour rice into a stainer. Allow to drain for 10 seconds. Return to the pot, turn off heat source, cover and let rice steam for 10 minutes.
• In a small dry skillet, lightly toast the walnuts. Set aside.
• While rice is steaming, warm the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add in onion, celery and carrot. Cook until onion is wilted. Cover and reduce heat to low. Allow to cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until carrot is barely tender. Add in garlic and zucchini. Cook until zucchini is crisp tender stirring frequently.
• When rice is done add to vegetable mixture. Thoroughly combine vegetables with steamed rice. Stir in peas. Cover and allow to rest for a few minutes.
• Zest orange then remove peel. Cut and section the orange. Cut sections into thirds if large or into half for smaller sections. Add orange zest and sections to rice mixture along with toasted walnuts. Keep warm while grilling the salmon.
• Grill salmon over medium heat until it flakes; approximately 5 to 8 minutes per side. Spoon the rice pilaf onto serving plate and top with grilled salmon. Garnish each serving with fresh cilantro if desired.

CUMIN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, saute the rice, onion and red pepper in oil for 3-4 minutes or until lightly browned. Add the broth, cumin and hot pepper sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until rice is tender.

CUMIN HERB RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Cook cumin seeds and white part of scallions in 1 tablespoon oil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until scallions are softened, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add rice and cook, stirring frequently, 1 minute. Stir in broth, water, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil over high heat.
• Cover pan, then reduce heat to low and cook until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, about 15 minutes. Remove pan from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes.
• Fluff rice with a fork and toss with scallion greens, parsley, and remaining tablespoon oil.

TOMATO AND COCONUT CHICKEN OVER SPICED RICE PILAF

Steps:

• For the rice: Soak the rice in 4 cups of cold water for 30 minutes.
• For the chicken: Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Arrange the chicken on a baking sheet in a single layer. Season all sides of the chicken with salt. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, use a pair of metal tongs to carefully add the pieces, skin-side down, to the oil. Do not crowd the skillet. Lower the heat to medium and cook until the skin is browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Flip the chicken and brown the other side, another 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer the chicken pieces to a clean baking sheet and set aside.
• In the same skillet, add the garlic and onions. Add the red pepper flakes and some salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic and onions turn light brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the coconut milk, tomatoes and bay leaves and bring to a simmer. Arrange the chicken pieces skin-side up in a single layer in the sauce. Pour any juices into the sauce as well. Lower the heat and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, 30 to 35 minutes. Discard the bay leaves. Taste for seasoning. Keep warm.
• To cook the rice: While the chicken is cooking, heat the oven to 250 degrees F.
• On a baking sheet, combine the cumin, fennel, cayenne and cinnamon stick. Lightly toast the spices in the oven, 1 to 2 minutes. Set aside.
• Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat and add the butter and onion. Season with salt and cook until the onion is translucent but not browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the spices. Drain the rice, reserving the soaking water. Stir in the rice and cook until you hear it crackling, 1 to 2 minutes. Gently stir in the reserved water. Season with salt and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cover and cook until the water has been absorbed and the rice is fluffy, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow the rice to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before "forking" it gently onto plates. Spoon the chicken and sauce over the rice and serve.