My Big Fat Greek Pilaf

My recipe for Greek-style rice pilaf.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• SAUTE

• 1  cup long grain rice
• 2  tablespoons butter
• 2  tablespoons orzo pasta, broken into short strips or 2  tablespoons spaghetti, broken into 1 inch strips
• 1  tablespoon  sliced almonds
• 1  tablespoon  whole pine nuts

• BROTH

• 2  cups vegetable broth or 2  cups chicken broth
• 1  tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1  tablespoon  thinly snipped green onion top
• 1  tablespoon  snipped fresh parsley
• 1⁄2 tablespoon  snipped fresh dill or 1⁄4 teaspoon dried dill
• 1⁄2 tablespoon  snipped of 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

• FOLD-IN CHEESE

• 2  tablespoons  crumbled feta cheese

Directions

1. MELT 2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat in a medium saucepan.
2. ADD 1 cup rice, 2 tablespoons orzo or spaghetti, 1 tablespoon sliced almonds and 1 tablespoon pine nuts.
3. SAUTE to an even light golden brown color, being careful not to overbrown or scorch.
4. 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).
5. BRING to a rolling boil; ALLOW to boil for 1 minute.
6. REDUCE heat to lowest setting.
7. SIMMER covered for 35-40 minutes.
8. FLUFF rice with a fork.
9. FOLD in feta cheese to rice until just combined.
10. SERVE with your favorite meat, fish or vegetable entree and ENJOY!