Best Pomegranate Pilaf Recipes

MIDDLE EASTERN RICE PILAF WITH POMEGRANATE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat and cook onion until soft and translucent. Add rice and toast until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in hot vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Add saffron and allspice, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed, about 20 minutes.
• Toast pistachios in a skillet over medium heat until nuts start to turn golden brown and become fragrant, 5 to 10 minutes. Set aside.
• Stir butter into the cooked rice. Remove from heat and mix in pistachios and pomegranate seeds. Fluff with fork and season with salt and pepper.

BARLEY AND WILD RICE PILAF WITH POMEGRANATE SEEDS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened. Add wild rice and barley; stir for a few seconds. Add broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until the wild rice and barley are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, 45 to 50 minutes.
• Meanwhile, toast pine nuts in a small, dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until light golden and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl to cool.
• Add pomegranate seeds, lemon zest, parsley and the toasted pine nuts to the pilaf; fluff with a fork. Serve hot.

LAMB CHOPS WITH POMEGRANATE SAUCE AND SAFFRON PILAF

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler and arrange the oven rack 8 inches from the broiler.
• Heat a large sauce pot over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt, then add the orzo and stir. Toast the pasta until golden brown, 3 minutes, then add the rice and stir to combine. Add the saffron threads and stir in the stock. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Cook the rice until tender, about 15 to 18 minutes.
• Meanwhile, roll the pomegranate on the counter while applying pressure for a minute. Hold the pomegranate over a small pot and cut into it with a small sharp knife; the juice will come rushing out. Squeeze the pomegranate until 3/4 to 1 cup of juice is produced. Stir in the wine, Worcestershire, peppercorns, cloves, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, lower the heat to a simmer and reduce the liquid by half, about 6 minutes. Pour a little sauce into a small bowl, stir in the cornstarch, and then pour the mixture into the sauce. Cook until thickened, about 1 minute. Remove and discard the peppercorns, whole cloves and the bay leaf.
• Arrange the chops on a broiler pan and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Broil for 3 to 4 minutes, or only 1 minute on each side for pink centers.
• When the chops go into the broiler, heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and stir for 2 minutes, then add the spinach and let it wilt. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg, to taste.
• Arrange 3 chops on each serving plate. Drizzle with pomegranate sauce, and serve the saffron pilaf and wilted spinach alongside.

POMEGRANATE QUINOA PILAF

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Saute the onion until translucent and fragrant. Add the quinoa and stir to coat. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is tender.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 tablespoon olive oil, pomegranate seeds, scallions, parsley, lemon juice, zest, and sugar. Add the quinoa and season with salt, and pepper to taste. Garnish with toasted, slivered almonds.
• Serves: 6; Calories: 248; Total Fat: 12.5 grams; Saturated Fat: 1 gram; Protein: 9 grams; Total carbohydrates: 27 grams; Sugar: 4 grams; Fiber: 4 grams; Cholesterol: 0 milligrams; Sodium: 109 milligrams

QUINOA PILAF WITH CHICK PEAS, POMEGRANATE, AND SPICES

Steps:

• Heat a large, heavy frying pan over medium-high heat and add the cumin seeds and coriander seeds. Toast in the pan, stirring or shaking the pan, until they begin to smell fragrant, and transfer to a spice mill. Allow to cool for a few minutes, then pulse to crush or coarsely grind. Set aside.
• Return the frying pan to medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and salt, stir together for about half a minute, and stir in the cumin seeds, and coriander seeds. Add the remaining olive oil and stir in the quinoa, chick peas, and 3 tablespoons of the pomegranate seeds. Stir over medium heat to heat through, several minutes. Taste and adjust salt. Transfer to a platter or wide bowl and decorate with the remaining pomegranate seeds. You can also mold the pilaf into 1/2-cup ramekins or timbales and unmold onto the plate, then decorate with pomegranate seeds.
• Stir the garlic into the thickened yogurt. Serve the pilaf topped with the yogurt.

QUINOA PILAF WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH & POMEGRANATE

Steps:

• In a small pot, bring to boil: 2 cup water Stir in: 1 cup quinoa , uncooked Return to boil, then cover pot and reduce heat to simmer. Continue simmering until quinoa is cooked, approximately 12-15 minutes. In the meantime, heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add: 1 TBS extra-virgin olive oil When oil is hot, add: 1 small butternut squash , peeled, seeded & cut into 1-inch chunks 1/2 cup onion , chopped Sauté vegetables until they start to brown, then reduce heat to medium, approximately 10 minutes. Add to the vegetables: 2 garlic cloves , diced 1/4 tsp salt 1/8 tsp black pepper, ground 1 tsp thyme, fresh Mix in: 1 cup vegetable stock 3 TBS pomegranate syrup 1 TBS lemon juice Bring to a a boil and cook for 5 minutes, until squash is fork tender and liquid is reduced. Remove from heat. When quinoa is done, fluff with a fork and pour into a large mixing bowl. Gently mix in the squash mixture with the quinoa. Stir in: 1/2 cup pomegranate arils 1/3 cup pistachios , shelled & chopped 1 tsp thyme, fresh Adjust seasoning to taste and serve hot.

CHICKEN & POMEGRANATE BULGUR PILAF

Steps:

• Heat a little oil in a large casserole dish (with a tight-fitting lid). Coat the chicken pieces with some seasoning, and half of the spice mix and add to the pan, brown well on all sides.
• Add the remaining spice mix and cook for 1 min. Pour over the stock, season and stir, then cover and cook for 25 mins over a low-medium heat.
• Remove the lid, increase the heat to a medium simmer and add the bulgur wheat. Cook for 10 mins, then re-cover, turn off the heat and leave to stand for a further 10 mins.
• When all the liquid has been absorbed and the bulgur wheat is tender, stir through the chopped mint and scatter over the pomegranate seeds.

BARLEY & WILD RICE PILAF WITH POMEGRANATE SEEDS - EATING WELL

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened. Add wild rice and barley; stir for a few seconds. Add broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until the wild rice and barley are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, 45 to 50 minutes. Meanwhile, toast pine nuts in a small, dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until light golden and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl to cool. Add pomegranate seeds, lemon zest, parsley and the toasted pine nuts to the pilaf; fluff with a fork. Serve hot. TIPS & NOTES Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 2. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. To reheat, place in a baking dish, add 1/4 cup water and cover. Microwave on High for 10 to 15 minutes or bake at 350° F or 25 to 30 minutes. Tip: To seed a pomegranate and avoid the enduring stains of pomegranate juice, work under water. Fill a large bowl with water. Hold the pomegranate in the water and slice off the crown. Lightly score the fruit into quarters, from crown to stem end. Keeping the fruit under water, break it apart, gently separating the plump seeds from the outer skin and white pith. The seeds will drop to the bottom of the bowl and the pith will float to the surface. Discard the pith. Pour the seeds into a colander. Rinse and pat dry. The seeds can be frozen in an airtight container or sealable bag for up to 3 months.

PISTACHIO-POMEGRANATE PILAF

Steps:

• Heat butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add shallots, and cook, stirring frequently, until golden, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer shallots to a bowl. Add wild rice to pot, and stir for 1 minute. Add stock and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, and stir again. Cover, reduce heat, and gently simmer until grains burst, about 40 minutes. Uncover, and cook until liquid has been almost completely absorbed, about 15 minutes more. Spread on a baking sheet to prevent rice from overcooking.
• Meanwhile, in a separate pot, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add basmati rice, and stir for 1 minute. Stir in the water and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and gently simmer for 10 minutes (do not uncover). Remove from heat, and let stand, covered, for 3 minutes. Spread on a baking sheet to prevent rice from overcooking.
• Whisk vinegar, sesame oil, remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste in a large bowl. Stirring constantly, gradually add wild and basmati rice. Add shallots, pomegranate seeds, pistachios, and herbs. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

POMEGRANATE PILAF

Steps:

• Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add onion, and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add rice; cook, stirring 1 minute to coat. Add chicken stock; bring to a boil. Cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook until rice has absorbed all liquid, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove from heat, and fluff with a fork. Stir in apricots, nuts, pomegranate seeds, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

YELLOW RICE PILAF POMEGRANATE

Steps:

• Fry the onions in 2 tablespoon oil until golden. Set aside.
• toast the rice with the remaining oil for 1 minute.
• Add the spices and toast one more minute.
• Add the water and the salt. Continue to cook covered by low temerature until the water is adsorbed. Take care you don't overheat the boilng rice!
• Mix the margarine with the yoghurt and the saffron in a small bowl together and add to the rice.
• Stir in the onions and pomegranate seeds.
• Serve it hot.

POMEGRANATE-PISTACHIO PILAF

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring the lentils to a boil in about 1 cup water; reduce the heat to low and let simmer until just tender, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat and add the onions, carrots and celery and cook until the onions are tender, about 10 minutes. Add the sausage, if using, and cook, breaking up any clumps, until lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Stir in the rice, pistachios, fennel seeds, turmeric, thyme and 1 teaspoon salt; cook until the rice is opaque, about 3 minutes. Stir into the lentils and add 1 3/4 cups water. Bring to a boil, then cover completely and simmer over low heat until cooked, about 45 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, without removing the cover, 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and top with the pomegranate seeds.

LAMB CHOPS WITH POMEGRANATE SAUCE & SAFFRON PILAF

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler and arrange the rack 8 inches from the broiler.
• Heat a pot with a tight-fitting lid over medium heat. Add the butter and melt, then add the orzo and stir. Toast the pasta to golden brown, 3 minutes, then add the rice and stir to combine. Add the saffron threads to the pan and stir in the stock. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover the pot. Cook the rice for 15 to 18 minutes, until tender.
• Meanwhile, roll the pomegranate on the counter while applying pressure for a minute. Hold the pomegranate over a small pot and cut into it with a small sharp knife; the juice will come rushing out. Squeeze the pomegranate until 3/4 to 1 cup of juice is produced. Add the wine and Worcestershire to the juice, then add the peppercorns, cloves, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer and reduce the liquid by half, 6 minutes or so. Pour a little sauce into a small bowl, stir in the cornstarch, and then pour the mixture back into the sauce. Cook to thicken, about 1 minute; remove the whole cloves and bay leaf before serving.
• Arrange the chops on a broiler pan and season with salt and pepper. Broil for 3 to 4 minutes, or only 1 minute on each side for pink centers.
• When the chops go in, heat the EVOO in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and stir for 2 minutes, then wilt in the spinach and season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
• Serve the chops topped with pomegranate sauce, and with saffron pilaf and wilted spinach alongside.

PISTACHIO-POMEGRANATE PILAF

Steps:

• 1. Heat butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add shallots, and cook, stirring frequently, until golden, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer shallots to a bowl. Add wild rice to pot, and stir for 1 minute. Add stock and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, and stir again. Cover, reduce heat, and gently simmer until grains burst, about 40 minutes. Uncover, and cook until liquid has been almost completely absorbed, about 15 minutes more. Spread on a baking sheet to prevent rice from overcooking. 2. Meanwhile, in a separate pot, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add basmati rice, and stir for 1 minute. Stir in the water and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and gently simmer for 10 minutes (do not uncover). Remove from heat, and let stand, covered, for 3 minutes. Spread on a baking sheet to prevent rice from overcooking. 3. Whisk vinegar, sesame oil, remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste in a large bowl. Stirring constantly, gradually add wild and basmati rice. Add shallots, pomegranate seeds, pistachios, and herbs. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

POMEGRANATE-GLAZED CHICKEN BREAST WITH BASMATI PILAF

Steps:

• Combine rice, stock, and bay leaf in a medium, heavy saucepan; season with 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a boil. Cover; reduce heat, and simmer until rice is tender, about 45 minutes. Drain rice; discard bay leaf. Let cool completely.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Put garlic and lemon juice into a small heatproof bowl; set aside. Cut pomegranates in half. Remove seeds from two halves; set aside 3/4 cup seeds (reserve any remaining seeds for another use). Extract juice from remaining four halves with a citrus juicer or reamer. Strain into a small saucepan. (You should have about 1 cup juice.)
• Cook pomegranate juice over medium heat until syrupy and reduced to 1/4 cup, about 10 minutes. Stir into lemon juice and garlic; let glaze cool completely.
• Brush 2 teaspoons oil over bottom of a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Season both sides of chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Put chicken, bone side down, into prepared dish; brush all over with glaze. Roast, brushing with glaze every 8 to 10 minutes and adding 1/4 cup water each time, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 165 degrees, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Brush chicken with pan glaze. Tent dish with foil; let chicken rest 10 minutes.
• Heat remaining tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add onion, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and translucent, about 6 minutes. Stir in cumin, and cook 1 minute. Add rice; cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 5 minutes. Stir in nuts, scallion, cilantro, pomegranate seeds, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Remove from heat. Divide rice mixture among 4 plates. Remove chicken from bone, and cut on the diagonal into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Arrange over rice, dividing evenly. Garnish with cilantro sprigs.

QUINOA PILAF WITH CHICK PEAS, POMEGRANATE AND SPICES

Steps:

• 1. Heat a large, heavy frying pan over medium-high heat and add the cumin seeds and coriander seeds. Toast in the pan, stirring or shaking the pan, until they begin to smell fragrant, and transfer to a spice mill. Allow to cool for a few minutes, then pulse to crush or coarsely grind. Set aside. 2. Return the frying pan to medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and salt, stir together for about half a minute, and stir in the cumin seeds, and coriander seeds. Add the remaining olive oil and stir in the quinoa, chick peas, and 3 tablespoons of the pomegranate seeds. Stir over medium heat to heat through, several minutes. Taste and adjust salt. Transfer to a platter or wide bowl and decorate with the remaining pomegranate seeds. You can also mold the pilaf into 1/2-cup ramekins or timbales and unmold onto the plate, then decorate with pomegranate seeds. 3. Stir the garlic into the thickened yogurt. Serve the pilaf topped with the yogurt. Yield: Serves 6 Variation: Some people like to drizzle a few drops of lemon juice over the top of this pilaf. Advance preparation: This can be made a day ahead and reheated.

POMEGRANATE AND PINE NUT PILAF

Steps:

• Cut onion into 1/4 inch pieces.
• Melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened but not brown.
• Add rice and stir for 2 minutes to coat with the butter.
• Add the vegetable stock and bring to a boil.
• Cover, reduce heat to low and cook until all of the liquid is absorbed (approximately 15 minutes).
• Meanwhile, toast pine nuts in a separate skillet over low heat. Stir constantly. Watch carefully as they burn easily. Set aside once toasted.
• Remove rice from heat and fold in the raisins, pine nuts, pomegranate seeds and thyme.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

QUINOA PILAF WITH CHICK PEAS, POMEGRANATE, AND SPICES

Steps:

• 1. Heat a large, heavy frying pan over medium-high heat and add the cumin seeds and coriander seeds. Toast in the pan, stirring or shaking the pan, until they begin to smell fragrant, and transfer to a spice mill. Allow to cool for a few minutes, then pulse to crush or coarsely grind. Set aside. 2. Return the frying pan to medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and salt, stir together for about half a minute, and stir in the cumin seeds, and coriander seeds. Add the remaining olive oil and stir in the quinoa, chick peas, and 3 tablespoons of the pomegranate seeds. Stir over medium heat to heat through, several minutes. Taste and adjust salt. Transfer to a platter or wide bowl and decorate with the remaining pomegranate seeds. You can also mold the pilaf into 1/2-cup ramekins or timbales and unmold onto the plate, then decorate with pomegranate seeds. 3. Stir the garlic into the thickened yogurt. Serve the pilaf topped with the yogurt.

BARLEY & WILD RICE PILAF WITH POMEGRANATE

Steps:

• 1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened. Add wild rice and barley; stir for a few seconds. Add broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until the wild rice and barley are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, 45 to 50 minutes 2. Meanwhile, toast pine nuts in a small, dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until light golden and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl to cool. 3. Add pomegranate seeds, lemon zest, parsley and toasted pine nuts to the pilaf; fluff with a fork. Serve hot.

CRISPY ZA'ATAR CHICKEN PILAF WITH POMEGRANATE

Steps:

• Toss together the chicken thighs oil, 1 tsp salt, garlic and lemon juice in a large bowl. Cover and chill for at least 1 hr, or up to 12 hrs.
• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4, and heat a frying pan over a high heat. Fry the chicken, skin-side down, for 5-7 mins, or until golden and crisp. Transfer to a baking tray and sprinkle with the za'atar, then roast for 10 mins.
• For the rice, heat the oil and butter in a large, shallow casserole or frying pan over a low-medium heat. Fry the onions with a pinch of salt for 15 mins until caramelised and sticky. Stir in the rice, stock, pistachios and chilli flakes. Season. Arrange the roasted chicken thighs on top of the rice, and pour over any roasting juices from the tray. Cook in the oven for 45 mins, or until the rice is tender. Remove from the oven, cover and rest for 5 mins.
• Scatter the chicken pilaf with the pomegranate seeds and parsley, then serve in shallow bowls.