Best Pine Nut And Sesame Pilaf Armenia Recipes

SIMPLEST QUINOA AND PINE NUT PILAF

Steps:

• Place the quinoa in a fine sieve. Rinse under cold running water 1 full minute. Set aside to drain.
• Bring the broth, salt and pepper to a boil in heavy, medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the quinoa. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the quinoa is tender and all the broth is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat. Let the quinoa stand, still covered, for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Scatter pine nuts on a small rimmed baking sheet. Toast the nuts until golden, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet.
• Mix the cilantro and pine nuts into the quinoa.

PINE NUT AND SESAME PILAF (ARMENIA)

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large sauté pan and sauté the onion until it softens and starts to color, about 10 minutes, then add the fenugreek and the roasted seeds and nuts and mix well.
• Cook over medium until the onions have wilted completely, about 10 more minutes.
• Add salt and pepper to the onions along with the stock and water and bring the mixture to a boil.
• When the water is hot, add the rice and return to a boil. Then lower heat and cook covered 15-20 minutes or until the rice is done(if using brown rice, cook another 15-20 minutes).

QUINOA PILAF WITH PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Put the broth and quinoa in a medium sized saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until liquid is absorbed and grain is tender.
• Meanwhile, toast the nuts in a large dry skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown and fragrant, about 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove nuts from pan and set aside. Heat the oil in the same skillet over a medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook stirring occasionally, until the onions soften and begin to brown, about 6 minutes.
• When the quinoa is done, fluff with a fork and transfer to a large serving bowl. Stir in the pine nuts, onions, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

ARMENIAN PILAF

Steps:

• Put the butter and oil in a medium sauce pan. Break Vermicelli into two inch pieces and place in butter.
• Heat the butter, oil and Vermicelli, on medium heat, stirring constantly, until the Vermicelli is golden brown. During this time, the butter and oil will foam. This is fine, just keep stirring until all of the Vermicelli is golden brown.
• Pour the chicken broth into the pan, which will stop the frying of the Vermicelli.
• Add rice, and continue to heat, until the broth starts to boil.
• Cover the pan, with a tightly fitting lid, lower heat, to lowest temp, and allow to simmer for 20 minutes, without stirring or lifting the lid.
• After 20 minutes, stir rice mixture, and recover. Allow to sit another 10-15 minutes. When the liquid is fully absorbed, it is ready to serve.

DRIED APRICOT PINE NUT PILAF

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a saucepan, add onions and cook over moderately low heat, stirring, until it is softened; add rice and continue cooking and stirring for one minute.
• Add salt, water and broth; bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to simmer and cook 18-20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
• Add the apricots, fluff the rice with a fork and let stand, covered, off the heat for 5 minutes.
• Stir in pine nuts, parsley and salt and pepper to taste.

EGGPLANT PILAF WITH PINE NUTS AND CUMIN

Steps:

• Cover the eggplant with water in a bowl and add about 1 1/2 tablespoons salt. Soak 30 minutes. Drain eggplant and squeeze by handfuls to remove excess moisture, then pat dry.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 12" nonstick skillet over medium high heat until hot but not smoking, and sauté eggplant, stirring occasionally, until tender and browned, about 7 minutes. Cool eggplant.
• Cook onions in remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a 3-4 quart heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring, until softened. Add rice and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups water, raisins, remaining 1/2 tablespoon salt, cumin and cinnamon and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered and undisturbed, until rice is tender, about 12 minutes.
• Fluff rice with a fork and gently stir in tomato and eggplant. Let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Uncover and cool 10 minutes. Stir in dill, then transfer pilaf to a serving bowl or platter and sprinkle with pine nuts(or pistachios).
• The pilaf can be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Reheat in the microwave.
• Makes 6 servings.