Spicy Middle Eastern Alligator With Rice Pilaf And Tabbouleh Salad Recipes

MIDDLE EASTERN RICE (MEJADRA)

Steps:

• Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Add about 1/3 of the onions and cook for 5 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
• Repeat with remaining onions, in two batches.
• Put the olive oil, cumin seeds and coriander in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Cook for a couple of minutes until the spices are fragrant.
• Add the rice and stir to coat with the oil and spices.
• Add the water and lentils.
• While it comes to boil, add all the other spices, salt and pepper.
• When it comes to a boil, turn it down to medium-low, cover with lid and let cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until all the liquid has mostly been absorbed.
• Remove from heat and let it rest for 10 minutes - during this time, any residual liquid will absorb.
• Fluff rice with a fork and adjust the seasoning with more salt if you wish.
• Just prior to serving, stir through most of the onions and top with remainder. Sprinkle with chopped coriander if desired. Best served warm.

TABBOULEH WITH POMEGRANATE SEEDS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add a 12-ounce bag frozen riced cauliflower and broccoli, 1/2 cup finely chopped green beans, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; cook until crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to cool. Stir in 1 tablespoon each lemon juice and olive oil, 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds and 1/4 cup each chopped parsley and mint.

MIDDLE EASTERN VEGETABLE SALAD

Steps:

• Place the scallions, tomatoes, cucumber, chickpeas, parsley, mint, and basil in a large salad bowl and toss to combine.
• In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the lemon juice, garlic, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil to make an emulsion. Pour the dressing over the salad, tossing gently to coat all the vegetables. Add the feta, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss gently. Serve the salad with the toasted pita bread.

PEPPER STEAK AND RICE PILAF WITH MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• In a medium pot over medium to medium high heat add a tablespoon of oil and a tablespoon of butter. When butter melts, add chopped mushrooms and saute 3 to 5 minutes. Add water and cover the pot. Add rice and pilaf packet to water. Stir to combine, reduce heat and cook 18 minutes. Add parsley, fluff with fork.
• Preheat a large skillet over high heat. Add vegetable oil to really hot pan. Add meat and sear on all sides, 5 minutes. Season with salt and remove to a plate. Cover meat loosely with foil to hold heat. Reduce heat on pan to medium. Add butter to pan. Add peppers and a little onion. Saute peppers and onions 5 minutes. Sprinkle flour over vegetables and cook 1 minute longer. Whisk in sherry and start to pick up pan drippings. Whisk in consomme and continue whisking. Add tomato and black pepper. Slide meat back into the pan and coat with sauce. Reduce heat to low and simmer 5 minutes.
• Spoon Pepper Steak over Mushroom Rice Pilaf and serve.

CAULIFLOWER "RICE" TABBOULEH

Steps:

• Grate cauliflower with the coarse grater disk on a food processor or the largest holes on a box grater until rice-like in texture. Transfer to a large, microwave-safe bowl and toss with 1 Tbsp. oil and 1/4 tsp. salt. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high 3 minutes. Carefully remove plastic wrap, spread cauliflower "rice" on a rimmed baking sheet, and let cool.
• Wipe out food processor, if necessary, and fit with chopping blade. Pulse parsley, mint, scallions, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, 3/4 tsp. salt, and remaining 1/4 cup oil until herbs are coarsely chopped. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in red pepper flakes. Add cauliflower, cucumber, and tomatoes and gently toss to coat. Season with additional salt, if necessary.
• Do Ahead
• Cauliflower "rice" can be made 3 days ahead. Chill in a resealable container.

MIDDLE EASTERN RICE PILAF WITH POMEGRANATE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat and cook onion until soft and translucent. Add rice and toast until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in hot vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Add saffron and allspice, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed, about 20 minutes.
• Toast pistachios in a skillet over medium heat until nuts start to turn golden brown and become fragrant, 5 to 10 minutes. Set aside.
• Stir butter into the cooked rice. Remove from heat and mix in pistachios and pomegranate seeds. Fluff with fork and season with salt and pepper.

MIDDLE EASTERN TABBOULEH AND LAMB SALAD

Steps:

• Place bulgur in large bowl. Add 6 cups boiling water. Let stand 1 hour. Drain well. Transfer to clean large bowl.
• Mix garbanzo beans, tomatoes, parsley, green onions, lemon juice, mint and 3/4 cup oil into bulgur. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Preheat broiler. Brush lamb on both sides with oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil until medium-rare, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to platter and cool. Cut lamb into 1/3-inch squares; discard bones. Stir lamb into salad. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Line large bowl with romaine leaves. Fill with salad. Place romaine hearts in center of salad and serve.

TASTY SPICY RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat; cook and stir onion, red pepper, mushrooms, and garlic until tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in rice. Add chicken stock; cover and boil until liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Season with red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.

MEDITERRANEAN PILAF SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, add rice pilaf mix, broth and contents of Spice Sack; bring to a boil. Cover; reduce heat to low. Simmer 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
• While pilaf cooks, prepare vinaigrette by whisking all ingredients together; set aside.
• Remove cooked pilaf from heat. Stir in vinaigrette.
• Stir in olives, parsley, green onion and pine nuts.
• Gently fold in feta and tomatoes.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.
• If desired, refrigerate and serve slightly chilled.
• Cook's Note: Regular chicken broth, vegetable broth or water can be substituted for the reduced-sodium chicken broth.

SPICED RICE PILAF

Steps:

• In large saucepan, cook onion in olive oil until tender. Stir in rice and spices. Cook, stirring constantly, until rice begins to turn golden.
• Pour in broth and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Do not lift lid while cooking.
• Remove from heat and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes undisturbed.
• Then add the chopped spinach, raisins, and almonds, stirring, and fluffing with a fork. Sprinkle with rose water, and fluff a little bit more, if desired.

MEDITERRANEAN TABBOULEH SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare Multi-Grain Medley according to package directions, substituting broth for water. Cool.
• In a large bowl whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, shallots and mustard. Fold in Multi-Grain Medley and remaining ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, top with feta cheese.