Minted Rice Pilaf Recipes

MINTED BASMATI RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Examine the rice for foreign objects, but do not wash.
• Heat the olive oil in the bottom of a heavy casserole until it begins to bubble. Add the onion and saute until translucent. Add the rice and stir to coat well with oil before adding the bay leaf, salt, pepper and the hot broth. Quickly bring to a boil, place a tight fitting lid on the pot and place into the oven.
• Cook the rice for 18 to 20 minutes before removing from the oven. Stir in the butter and the chopped mint and serve.

MINTED RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Place mint stems, chicken broth and water in a 2 1/2-quart souffle dish or casserole with tight-fitting lid. Cook, covered, at 100 percent power in a 650- to 700-watt oven for 10 minutes. If using plastic, prick to release steam.
• Remove from oven and uncover. Strain liquid and allow liquid to cool to room temperature. Reserve.
• Place onion and oil in the 2 1/2-quart souffle dish or casserole. Cover and cook at 100 percent power for 4 minutes.
• Remove from oven and uncover. Stir in rice. Cook, uncovered, at 100 percent power for 1 minute 30 seconds.
• Remove from oven. Stir in reserved liquid. Re-cover and cook at 100 percent power for 10 minutes.
• Remove from oven and uncover. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the chopped mint leaves. Re-cover and cook for 8 minutes longer.
• Remove from oven and uncover. Stir in remaining chopped mint, salt and pepper. Serve hot.

JASMINE RICE PILAF WITH PEAS, MINT, AND LEMON

Steps:

• Combine the rice and 6 cups of cold water in a pot. Sprinkle in the salt and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. When the liquid comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and cover. Cook the rice for 20 minutes, without peaking under the lid, the steam is most precious in cooking rice. When the rice has absorbed the water it will form "craters" or holes in the top.
• Let the rice sit off the heat, undisturbed with the lid on, for at least 5 minutes. This allows the rice to steam, with the bottom layer as fluffy as the top.
• Fluff the rice with a fork and transfer to a serving bowl. Add the blanched peas, green onions, lemon juice and zest, mint, and oil; season with salt and pepper. Toss gently, taking care not to smash the grains of rice. Garnish with pea tendrils before serving, if using.

GREEK RICE PILAF

Steps:

• In a heavy skillet, saute the onions in oil on medium heat until they begin to soften.
• Add the garlic, mint and pepper and saute for 2 more minutes.
• Stir in the spinach, lemon juice, rice and green peas.
• Add the dill.
• Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• When the spinach is limp and the rice is hot, top with the feta and serve immediately.