Best Thyme Scented Pilaf Recipes

IT'S THYME FOR RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan; add onion, carrots, celery, green pepper, and garlic, cooking until tender.
• Remove vegetables from pan and set aside.
• Heat remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in pan; add rice and cook, stirring constantly, until rice is light brown.
• Do not burn rice.
• Stir in chicken broth, water, frozen peas, cooked vegetables, parsley, thyme, Tabasco, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 15-20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
• Fluff with fork before serving.
• Tip: if rice seems wet, place clean dishtowel firmly between lid and pan; let rest for 10-15 minutes while towel absorbs excess liquid.

SAFFRON RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a saucepot over medium-high heat. Add the pasta and toast until golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken stock, rice, raisins, chile pepper, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, saffron and season with salt. Bring to boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 18 minutes.

PICO DE GALLO PILAF

Steps:

• Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a sauce pot over medium heat. Add the orzo and toast until deep golden. Stir in the rice and broth and bring to boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot and simmer for 17 to 18 minutes.
• In a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, onions, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime zest and juice. Season with salt, to taste.
• When rice is cooked, fluff with fork and stir in the salsa. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve.

RICOTTA, SPINACH, AND HAM STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST MARSALA WITH PINE NUT PILAF

Steps:

• Cut 4 long pieces of kitchen twine.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add a liberal drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil plus 2 tablespoons butter and saute the mushrooms for 8 to10 minute to darken.
• Meanwhile, butterfly the chicken breasts open and pound them out very thin, no more than 1/8-inch thick. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and top each piece of chicken with 2 tablespoons ricotta cheese and spread it around. Top with 1/4 of the spinach and season with freshly grated nutmeg, salt and pepper. Then top each piece of chicken with a slice of speck. Roll the chicken into bundles and secure with twine. Season the bundles with salt and pepper and dredge lightly in flour.
• Season the mushrooms with salt and pepper and remove to a plate. Add extra-virgin olive oil to coat the pan. Add the chicken and cook over medium-high heat for 15 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate and cover with foil. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the pan, sprinkle in 2 tablespoons flour, and deglaze the pan with marsala. Add the broth and cook to thicken, about 1 to 2 minutes, and then add the mushrooms to combine. Remove the string from the chicken and top with sauce. Serve with Pine Nut Pilaf.
• Melt the butter in a saucepot over medium heat. Add the orzo and pine nuts and toast until golden. Add the rice and stir in the stock. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to simmer, and cover. Cook for 18 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve.

RICE PILAF WITH THYME

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium. Add onion; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is golden, 8 to 9 minutes. Add broth, and bring to a boil. Stir in rice and thyme.
• Reduce to a simmer; cover, and cook until rice is just tender, 15 to 17 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes; fluff with a fork.