Simple Rice Pilaf
I am finally getting around to posting my Chicken Shawarma recipes… Honestly between working, kids and Project Food Blog, I’ve been very busy! Not to mention that today is my youngest daughters 6th birthday… I can barely type that without wanting to blubber like a baby.
It’s a Girl!!
Six years ago… I was twenty four… I had a 3 year old, I was only married for 4 years and I was a very pregnant and a-not-so-small 170{ish} lbs… YIKES! It was an over cast day… we checked in to the hospital around 9:00 am, and she was born at 2:23 that afternoon. The easiest delivery EVER!! Unlike my first baby who was almost 10lbs! This baby was a teeny 7lbs 13 oz. and a piece of cake! She had a ton of dark hair and the smoothest skin ever… not even a mark. Except for a tiny birth mark under her left eye. She brought us great joy that day and continues to do that today. Happy Birthday Malloree! I love you!
Just look at them! Now I’m really blubbering!!!
Okay… let’s talk pilaf. Since I was a kid I thought rice pilaf sounded grody. Now keep in mind I never actually tasted it… it just sounded gross. Pilaf… I mean c’mon can you blame me?! But as soon as I found out that you fry the noodles in butter… I was sold! Why didn’t they tell me this when I was a kid?
You can use vermicelli noodles and break those up into tiny pieces if you want… I believe that is “traditional” but if you don’t want the hassle, try using orzo! It was really fun to make… well as much fun as making rice can be… but the frying in butter really makes the rice look fancy! Give it a try! You’ll be hooked!
To start off you’ll need; Butter, Chicken Broth, Orzo and Long Grain Rice. You will need some water too!
Melt the butter in a medium pan over medium to medium high heat until it melts and gets hot and bubbly.
Toss in the Orzo…
When the orzo turns a little golden throw in the rice and stir to combine.
Pour in the broth and water. Give it a good stir and bring to boil. Then reduce heat to a simmer and cover with a heavy lid. If your lid isn’t heavy use a plate that fits the pot. Cook for 15 minutes at a simmer.
*Test the plate out before you begin to make sure!
After the 15 minutes are up, remove from the heat and let it sit for 10 more minutes.
And when you pull the lid or plate off… VIOLA!! Beauteous!!
Fluff with a fork… and take a bite… or two… or three, then season with salt and pepper if it needs it!… And now pat yourself on the back!
This is a great side to chicken or fish!
Simple Rice Pilaf
Yield: 4 cups
Ingredients:
½ sticks Unsalted Butter
1 cup Orzo Pasta
1 cup Long Grain Rice
14-½ ounces, fluid Chicken Broth
¾ cups Water
Salt And Pepper, to taste
Directions:
Melt butter in a medium sauce pan until hot and bubbly.
Add the orzo pasta and “fry” until lightly golden in color.
Add the cup of rice, stir.
Pour in the chicken broth and water, stir and bring back to a boil.
Reduce heat to a simmer and cover with a heavy lid and cook for 15 to 20 minutes.
Remove from the heat and let it sit for 10 minutes.
Fluff with fork and serve!
Over the past few years I’ve been on a mission to find and create recipes that I can make from scratch. I hope you enjoy the recipes on this blog as they are tried and true from my kitchen to yours! (
The rice pilaf looks soooo incredibly delicious. I've always wanted to make homemade rice pilaf but never found a simple and tasty recipe until now! Thank you so much for the recipe, I'm seriously making that tonight. I can't wait!
Happy Birthday to your daughter!
Aw Thanks!! I hope you enjoy the recipe!! Let me know how it goes!!
~Laurie
This looks good – I had a roommate whose family moved to the US from Columbia when she was 7 and she made her rice about like this. YUM!
Awww such sweet photos of your girls. They're lovely. And that rice pilaf is lovely too. Mine gets sticky. Will have to try this.
Happy Birthday Malloree.. God bless you and your kids..
the pilaf you cook is how we regularly cook in Turkey.. it seems good.. and you know in Turkey we say ,if you can cook pilaf properly ,means you can cook anything.. this is a common thought here:) and your pilaf seems so succesul..
Happy birthday to your little one!
the rice pilaf looks amazing – so fluffy! I have all the necessary ingredients for this one too
Can't wait to try it!
My youngest will be 7 this Sunday. I love October babies! Great recipe!
Amanda! That is how mine use to be… until someone told me about using the heavy plate trick!! PS.. love your site!!
Andrea~ let me know how it goes!!
Thanks Kay!! …and yes October babies are GREAT!!
Yummy! Your one lucky mama.
yummm! happy birthday to your girl, she's so cute!!
-amanda
http://www.seegirlcook.com
Thanks Amanda!!
I've never actually made rice pilaf from scratch…always cheated with a box. But this looks SO good, and you make it look so easy! I've got to give this a try…thanks for sharing!
Karen.. to be honest it is easy… you'll see!
I have a silly question. Do you boil the rice and the pasta before you sautee it in the butter? I would imagine not, but I can't be sure. Help!
No prob! Tost the orzo {pasta} in the butter first, then add the uncooked rice. Pour in the broth and water. Bring the liquids to a boil, cover {with a heavy lid} and reduce heat to a simmer {medium low}. Remove after 15-20 minutes and let sit for 10… then fluff with fork! Hope this helps