My Big Fat Greek Pilaf Recipes

MY BIG FAT GREEK BURGERS

Steps:

• Click here to see how she does it.
• In a small bowl, stir together the yogurt, oil, lemon juice, garlic, dill, and salt and pepper.
• Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the feta cheese, dill and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and stir to combine.
• Divide the turkey into 4 equal sized rounds. Make 2 equal sized patties out of each round so you have 8 patties total. Put 2 tablespoons of the spinach-feta mixture onto half of the patties. Top with remaining patties working the turkey around the edges to seal burgers closed. Season the burgers on both sides with the salt and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• Spray a nonstick grill pan with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat, or prepare the grill. Grill the patties until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
• To serve, place a burger on the bottom half of each bun, top with about 2 tablespoons of yogurt sauce, then 2 or 3 cucumber slices and a lettuce leaf. Top with the other half of the bun and serve.

MY BIG FAT GREEK PILAF

Steps:

• MELT 2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat in a medium saucepan.
• ADD 1 cup rice, 2 tablespoons orzo or spaghetti, 1 tablespoon sliced almonds and 1 tablespoon pine nuts.
• SAUTE to an even light golden brown color, being careful not to overbrown or scorch.
• ADD 2 cups vegetable broth or 2 cups chicken broth, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon thinly snipped green onion tops, 1 tablespoon snipped fresh parsley, 1/2 tablespoon snipped fresh dill or 1/4 teaspoon dried dill , 1/2 tablespoon snipped fresh mint or 1/4 teaspoon dried mint, 1 teaspoon garlic paste, 1/2 teaspoon honey or 1/4 teaspoon sugar, 1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon zest, 1/4 teaspoon crushed dried oregano, 1 dash fresh ground black pepper, 1 dash fine sea salt; STIR; TASTE the broth (It should be slightly salty, slightly tangy and not too bitter. Now is the time to make any adjustments).
• BRING to a rolling boil; ALLOW to boil for 1 minute.
• REDUCE heat to lowest setting.
• SIMMER covered for 35-40 minutes.
• FLUFF rice with a fork.
• FOLD in feta cheese to rice until just combined.
• SERVE with your favorite meat, fish or vegetable entree and ENJOY!

GREEK VEGETABLE PILAF

Steps:

• Make the yogurt-sumac sauce by mixing together yogurt, sumac powder, 1 clove minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon minced onion. Allow to sit at room temperature for about an hour. (Can be made ahead of time and refrigerated.).
• Cook the lentils in simmering water until tender, following package directions. Drain and set aside.
• Put couscous in a bowl with 3 cups of boiling water. Stir and let sit away from heat until all water is absorbed and couscous is tender. Set aside.
• Heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until onion is transparent. Add garlic and bell pepper, and sauté for 2-3 minutes, until vegetables are softened. Add carrots and green beans. Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes, until green beans are tender. Stir occasionally.
• When green beans are cooked, stir in the spinach and simmer 1-2 minutes, until spinach is wilted. Stir in the za'tar, salt and pepper to taste, and remove from heat.
• Mix the vegetable mixture with the lentils, couscous, and feta. Stir gently until well combined. Serve topped with diced tomatoes and cucumber, and with yogurt-sumac sauce to taste.