Rice Pilaf: The Easy Method
Pilaf is a cooking method that is often used with rice. This recipe makes a rice dish that's a great partner for many different dishes, and it's very simple to make. It also tastes a lot better than any boxed brand you can buy at the grocery store because it has no chemicals or preservatives. Use it in place of regular boiled rice for a change.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Jasmine rice
- 1 1/2 cups water or unsalted stock-(chicken, beef, vegetable)
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic, OR 1 tablespoon minced onion or shallots
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cooking oil (canola, extra-virgin olive oil, vegetable oil, etc.)
- Salt to your taste
- Assemble all ingredients, cooking equipment and tools. Recommended equipment: 1-1/2 qt. saucepan, spatula, cutting board, chef's knife, measuring cups & spoons.
- Heat oil in saucepan. Add minced "aromatic," (garlic or onion). Sweat the aromatic until you detect its fragrance emanating from the saucepan. (Do not brown.)
- Add rice, stir to coat. Cook 2-3 minutes.
- Add water or stock and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat.
- Set your timer for 12 minutes. Jasmine rice tends to cook faster than regular long grain rice, so keep an eye on it. It might be done in 10 minutes, depending on your range's power.
- Remove from heat, fluff rice.
- Enjoy your rice pilaf!
