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A bowl of yellow rice topped with chopped green onions, diced tomatoes, and fresh chopped herbs.
Melissa Jo

Rice Pilaf

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Make Rice Pilaf when you want long grain white rice, vermicelli, and a pinch of saffron in one delicious main course.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 32 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups of long grain white rice washed thoroughly
  • 2-3 oz. of Vermicelli
  • a pinch of saffron
  • 4 1/2 cups of water
  • 4 tbsp. of butter
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp. of Better than Bouillon chicken base
  • garnish: green onions tomatoes, and parsley

Method
 

  1. Bring water to a boil in a large pot with a cover
  2. crush the saffron into a powder using a mortar and pestle
  3. sauté the vermicelli on medium heat in 2 tbsp. of butter (about 5 minutes)
  4. keep moving your wooden spoon and sauté the vermicelli in front of the stove because they burn easily
  5. Once the water is at a rolling boil add the chicken base
  6. once the vermicelli is a golden reddish brown color pick up the pan and add the entire contents of the pan into the large pot of boiling water
  7. add the rice to the boiling water
  8. mix everything together and then cover the pot and lower the heat down to a level 2 or 3
  9. cook covered for about 8-10 minutes
  10. after the 10 minutes open the pot and add the saffron
  11. mix together thoroughly and cover and finish cooking for another 5-10 minutes or until the water is absorbed
  12. open the pot and add 2 tbsp. of butter and cover again for another 2 minutes until it melts
  13. uncover and fluff with a fork
  14. allow to sit at a low heat for 5-10 minutes uncovered (this will evaporate any unwanted moisture)
  15. serve in a bowl and top with any vegetables you like or serve plain!
  16. Enjoy!

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Notes

  1. Rice: I used long grain rice, but you can use medium or jasmine rice.
  2. Vermicelli: I bought long spaghetti-like vermicelli so I had to break it into small pieces. The easiest way is to just break it with your hands and then crush up in your hands until you achieve small 1 inch pieces. Or if you can find already in small pieces, buy it like that!
  3. Wash the Rice: In order for the rice to come out beautiful and fluffy, not sticky and goopy you will have to soak and rinse your rice several times.
    1. Add the rice to a bowl. Let it soak for 10-15 minutes. Then rinse and drain the rice a few times. I do this about 3-5 times. Don't skip this step!
  4. Saffron: This is the saffron I purchased: https://amzn.to/372tSEZ Grab a pinch of the saffron and crush it up with a mortar and pestle until it's like a fine powder. https://amzn.to/3iCqHJi

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