Rice Raisin And Herb Pilaf Recipes

RICE PILAF WITH RAISINS AND VEGGIES

Steps:

• Bring chicken broth to boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat; continue simmering while preparing remaining ingredients.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir celery, onion, green onion white portions, garlic, curry powder, and salt in the hot oil until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer vegetables to a bowl.
• Cook and stir rice in the same skillet until lightly toasted, about 3 minutes.
• Stir toasted rice into boiling chicken broth. Reduce heat to medium-low; continue simmering until rice is tender and broth is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
• Remove rice from heat and stir in raisins, green onion tops, and celery mixture until well blended.

CARROT RAISIN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Start by bringing the rice, chicken stock and butter to a very gentle boil.
• Simmer as gently as possible for about 20 minutes or until the rice has absorbed almost all of the liquid. Do not remove the cover but set the pot aside for 10 minutes.
• While the rice rests, in a saute pan on medium heat, add the olive oil and chopped garlic.
• Saute 1 minute then add the raisins and grated carrot. (Note: I sometimes add a tbsp of freshly grated ginger root to this recipe and this is where I add it.)
• Cook for an additional minute then the salt and pepper and chopped chives. (Other fresh herbs and 1/4 cup chopped toasted almonds can be added at this point if you choose.)
• Toss the cooked rice into the saute pan and stir fry for just a couple of minutes to mix everything together before serving.

RICE PILAF WITH PINE NUTS AND GOLDEN RAISINS

Steps:

• In heavy saucepan cook the onion with the turmeric and coriander in the melted butter until the onion is softened.
• Add the rice and stir to coat. Add the broth, bring the liquid to a boil and simmer, covered, for 17 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
• Stir in the pine nuts and raisins, add salt and pepper to taste.

RICE PILAF WITH PISTACHIOS AND GOLDEN RAISINS

Steps:

• In a small heavy saucepan cook the onion with the turmeric and the cardamom in 1 tablespoon of the butter over moderately low heat, stirring, until the onion is softened. Add the rice and cook it, stirring, until it is coated with the butter. Add the broth, bring the liquid to a boil, covered, and simmer the mixture for 17 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Stir in the pistachios, the raisins, the scallion greens, the remaining 1/2 tablespoon butter, and salt and pepper to taste.

HERBED RICE WITH RAISINS

Steps:

• Cook the rice as the label directs. Spread out on a baking sheet and let cool completely. Soak the raisins in the lemon juice in a cup, 10 minutes. Meanwhile, toss the rice with the chervil, basil, parsley, cilantro and carrot in a large bowl. Chop the pea shoots, reserving some whole for garnish, and add to the bowl. Drain the raisins, straining the lemon juice into a separate bowl. Add the vinegar, lemon zest, sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste to the lemon juice. Whisk in the olive oil. Add to the rice mixture along with the raisins and toss. Season with salt and pepper. Top with the reserved pea shoots.
• Photograph by Jonny Valiant

CASHEW RAISIN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Melt margarine in a large saucepan.
• Saute the long grain rice, onion, carrot and raisins over medium-high heat 3 to 5 minutes or until onion is tender.
• Pour in broth and bring to a boil.
• Cover pan and simmer on low for 20 to 25 minutes or until rice is tender.
• Meanwhile,in another saucepan bring 3/4 cup salted water to a boil.
• Add wild rice, reduce heat and simmer,covered, for 20 minutes or until rice is tender.
• Drain and set aside.
• When the rice-raisin mixture is finished cooking, stir in wild rice, peas,pimentoes and cashews.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste and heat through.

RICE PILAF WITH CINNAMON AND GOLDEN RAISINS

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan, warm the olive oil.
• When warm add the onion and rice; cook stirring constantly until onion is transparent and rice begins to brown.
• Stir in the broth, turmeric, cinnamon and salt.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
• The last 5 minutes, stir in the raisins.
• Remove from heat, stir in parsley, cover and let stand, covered for 5 minutes.