Rice Pilaf (African)

From: “The Africa Kitchen” by Josie Stow and Jan Baldwin.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons olive oil
• 2  onions, finely chopped
• 1 3⁄4 cups basmati rice
• 1⁄2 cup raisins
• 1  fresh chili pepper, chopped (to taste)
• 4  teaspoons lime zest
• 1 -2  cinnamon stick
• 2  cardamom pods, seeds of
• 2  teaspoons salt
• 4  cups water
• 1⁄2 cup  slivered almonds
• 4  tablespoons fresh parsley leaves, chopped
•  fresh ground pepper, to taste

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, heat the oil and saute the onions until soft.
2. Stir in the rice and cook, stirring frequently, for 4 minutes.
3. Add the raisins, chili, lime zest, cinnamon sticks, cardamon, salt and 4 cups of water and stir well.
4. Cover the pan and simmer for 15-18 minutes or until the rice has absorbed all the liquid.
5. Meanwhile, lightly toast the slivered almonds in a dry frying pan.
6. Remove the saucepan from the heat and fluff up the rice with a fork.
7. Stir in the almonds, parsley and season to taste before serving.