Wild Rice And Orzo Pilaf Recipes

WILD RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium saucepan, add the onion, and cook over low heat for 5 to 10 minutes, until translucent. Add 5 cups of water, 2 teaspoons of salt, and the wild rice. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to very low, and simmer, covered, for 50 minutes to 1 hour, until the rice is tender. Drain well.
• Place the drained rice in a bowl, add the remaining tablespoon of butter, the scallions, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and the pepper. Taste for seasonings and serve hot.

ORZO AND WILD RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Bring the wild rice and water to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender but not mushy, 20 to 45 minutes depending on the variety of wild rice. Drain off any excess liquid, fluff the rice with a fork, and cook uncovered 5 minutes more. Once finished, spread into a shallow dish, and refrigerate until cold.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the orzo pasta, and cook until al dente, 7 to 8 minute. Drain, rinse with cold water, and chill.
• Place the chilled rice and orzo into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the red onion, currants, corn, yellow bell pepper, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Season with 2 tablespoons basil, salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk together the vinegar, honey, mustard, garlic, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and 1 1/2 teaspoons basil. Slowly whisk in the canola and olive oils until emulsified. Stir the dressing into the pasta, and refrigerate 2 hours before serving.

ORZO AND RICE

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; add orzo and brown until golden.
• Add rice, bouillon, and water; bring to a boil, cover and lower heat to medium-low.
• Simmer for about 20 to 25 minutes or until all water is absorbed; serve.

DEVILED DUNGENESS CRAB WITH WILD RICE AND ORZO PILAF

Steps:

• For the sauce:
• Place clarified butter in a saucepan and add shallots and celery. Cook until soft. Add flour and cook until mixture reaches an amber color. Add hot milk and mix with a wire whisk to a smooth sauce. Add remaining ingredients to the sauce and cook for 10 minutes.
• For the Rice and Orzo:
• Combine rice and orzo. Add olive oil and lemon pepper. Mix well and put into the bottom of the crab shells.
• Preheat the broiler.
• For the crab:
• Saute crab meat in butter. Add Sherry until heated. Add the sauce to the crabmeat and mix well. Place the mixture on top of the rice and top with bread crumbs, butter, and Parmesan. Place under the broiler until golden brown.
• Serve with the sauce.
• For the wild rice:
• Wash the rice in cold water and strain. Lightly saute shallots in olive oil until transparent. Add wild rice and chicken stock. Bring to a boil and then turn down to a slow simmer and cover. Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes until moisture is totally evaporated. Cool down in refrigerator.
• Bring salted water to a rolling boil. Add orzo and cook for 8 minutes. Strain orzo and cool down in ice water. When cool, strain and place in refrigerator.