Fragrant Apricot Rice Recipes

BASMATI RICE PILAF WITH APRICOTS

Steps:

• Put the apricots and lemon zest in the 2 cups of cold water. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the garam masala, and toast, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the onion and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender and translucent, about 6 minutes.
• Stir in the rice and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to brown, about 4 minutes. Stir in the water along with the apricots, lemon zest, the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, wrap a clean dish towel around the saucepan lid, and cover saucepan. Cook for 10 minutes, set aside for 5 minutes undisturbed, then remove lid and fluff with a fork. Mound the pilaf on a serving platter or in a shallow bowl, tear the mint over, and top with the nuts.
• Game Plan: Toast the nuts while the rice cooks.

THAI-STYLE FRAGRANT RICE

Steps:

• Rinse the rice under cold water. Combine the rice, water, coconut milk, ginger, soy sauce, lemongrass, and curry leaves in a saucepan and stir. Bring to a boil over medium heat; reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered until rice is tender, about 10 minutes. Fold the basil into the rice. Serve immediately.

APRICOT RICE CUSTARD

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cook rice according to package directions. Stir in milk, sugar and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Stir 1/2 cup into eggs; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Cook and stir for 15 minutes or until mixture reaches 160° or coats the back of a metal spoon (do not boil). , Remove from the heat; stir in extracts and cinnamon. , For sauce, drain apricot syrup into a small saucepan. Chop apricots; add to syrup. Stir in remaining sauce ingredients; bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve sauce and custard warm or chilled.

RICE WITH PARSLEY, ALMONDS, AND APRICOTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F. Toss almonds with oil on a small rimmed baking sheet; season with salt. Roast, tossing occasionally, until golden brown, 10-12 minutes. Let cool, then chop.
• Meanwhile, rinse rice in several changes of water until water runs clear. Bring rice, lemon zest, and 1 1/2 cups water to a boil in a small saucepan; season with salt. Reduce heat, cover pan, and simmer until rice is tender, 18-20 minutes. Remove from heat, uncover, and scatter apricots over rice. Cover; let sit 10 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork, then mix in almonds, parsley, and lemon juice. Taste and season with more salt if needed.

FRAGRANT APRICOT RICE

Steps:

• In a hot heavy bottom pan heat butter and oil
• Saute onion, garlic and ginger till translucent add coriander seeds, basil, rice and apricots stir to coat with onion mixture adding wine and cook till wine is absorbed
• Add zest and water simmering covered over low heat for 20-25 minutes
• Fluff with fork and season with salt and pepper
• Top with cashews and garnish with fresh basil

FRAGRANT SHEPHERD'S PIE WITH APRICOTS

Steps:

• Brown the lamb in batches in a large, deep frying pan (there's no need to add oil). Once each batch is browned, transfer it to a sieve and pour off the excess fat from the pan before cooking the next batch. Set aside the browned mince and wipe out the pan with some kitchen paper. Whizz the onions, ginger, garlic and spices together in a food processor until finely chopped and a little pulpy (you can add a drop of water if you need to), then tip into the same pan with the oil. Cook over a medium heat for 5-6 mins until the onion is softened and the spices become fragrant.
• Return the meat to the pan along with the chopped tomatoes and purée, honey and the stock. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 1 hr, adding the apricots after 30 mins. The lamb and apricots should be tender, and the sauce thickened; if it's a little wet still, simmer, uncovered, for another 10 mins. Remove from the heat, stir in the coriander leaves and season well.
• While the lamb is cooking, prepare the potato topping. Boil the potatoes in salted water for 15 mins until tender. Once cooked, drain well and mash with the butter, seasoning and enough milk to give you a creamy consistency.
• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Tip the lamb mixture into a large ovenproof dish and pile the mash roughly over. (It helps if you start from the edges and work your way towards the middle.) If you're making ahead, cool then freeze the pie at this point, uncovered. Once frozen, cover with cling film and use within 1 month, defrosting thoroughly before reheating.
• Bake for 40 mins from warm, or for 1 hr from cold, until the topping is beginning to brown and the filling is hot. If you like, scatter with some toasted cumin seeds to serve.

WILD RICE WITH DRIED APRICOTS ( W W)

Steps:

• Saute carrots in butter until lightly browned; add thyme, wild rice, apricots, broth and salt; bring to a low simmer, cover and cook for 25 minutes.
• Stir in long-grain rice and simmer for an additional 20 minutes.
• Sprinkle with chives and serve.

APRICOT-PECAN WILD RICE

Steps:

• In a nonstick skillet, saute onions and celery in oil for 5 minutes or until tender. Transfer to a large bowl. Stir in the remaining ingredients. , Spoon into a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 10-15 minutes longer or until lightly browned.

FRAGRANT BROWN RICE

Steps:

• To cook brown rice in a 30-minute meal it must be soaked for 2 hours. Cover rice with water and allow to soak. To cook, bring rice with water to boil. Reduce heat to simmer; cover and cook rice about 20 minutes, or until tender and water has evaporated.
• Slice onions and put garlic through press. Saute in hot oil until onions are soft, about 5 minutes.
• Wash and slice mushrooms; mince ginger. Add to onions with raisins and spices. Continue sauteing until mushrooms are soft.
• Stir vegetables into rice with cashews. Add vegetable broth; stir to mix well and heat broth. Serve.

A FRAGRANT, SPICY RICE

Steps:

• In a pot, bring 2 1/2 cups broth to a boil. Mix in green onions and peas. Season with salt, 1 pinch garam masala, 1 pinch turmeric, and cayenne pepper to taste. Stir the basmati rice into the pot. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes.
• Melt the butter in a wok over medium-high heat. Cook and stir the mushrooms and garlic in the melted butter until lightly browned. Mix in green bell pepper and red bell pepper. Season with 1 teaspoon garam masala, 1 pinch turmeric, and cayenne pepper to taste. Stir in the lentils and 3/4 cup broth. Reduce heat to low. Cook 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender.
• In a skillet over medium heat, cook the almonds, stirring frequently, until lightly browned. Remove from heat, and set aside.
• Increase wok heat to medium. Mix the rice into the wok with the vegetables and lentils. Cook and stir until all liquid has evaporated. Garnish with toasted almonds and cilantro sprigs to serve.