Best 7 Armenian Rice Pilaf Recipes

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**Armenian Rice Pilaf: A Journey Through Armenian Cuisine**

Armenian rice pilaf, known as "pilaf" or "plov" in Armenian, is a traditional dish that holds a special place in Armenian cuisine. This delectable dish is a harmonious blend of fluffy rice, savory meat, and an aromatic medley of spices that captivates the senses. Pilaf is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course, a side dish, or even as a festive meal. It has a long history in Armenia, dating back to ancient times, and has become an integral part of the country's culinary heritage. In this article, we will explore the art of preparing Armenian rice pilaf, providing two distinct recipes that showcase the diverse culinary traditions of Armenia. The first recipe introduces the classic Armenian rice pilaf, a harmonious blend of rice, lamb, and an array of spices, while the second recipe presents a vegetarian version, featuring a vibrant mix of vegetables and aromatic herbs. Both recipes offer a unique and authentic taste of Armenia, allowing you to embark on a culinary journey through this vibrant and flavorful cuisine.

Let's cook with our recipes!

ARMENIAN RICE PILAF WITH RAISINS AND ALMONDS



Armenian Rice Pilaf With Raisins and Almonds image

This traditional Armenian rice pilaf has been passed down through the generations of Christine Vartanian Datian's family. Peas, parsley and allspice have been added to the original for extra flavor and color.

Provided by Tara Parker-Pope

Time 45m

Yield Serves 4-6

Number Of Ingredients 11

5-6 tablespoons butter
4-5 ounces dried vermicelli or egg noodles
2 cups long-grain white rice
1 quart fat-skimmed vegetable, chicken or turkey broth
1 teaspoon sea salt and 1/2 teaspoon white or black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 cup coarsely chopped almonds
1/2 cup coarsely chopped golden or black raisins
1/2 cup frozen petite peas (optional)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Steps:

  • In a 5- to 6-quart pan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Break or crush the vermicelli into 1-inch lengths. Add the pasta and rice to the butter and stir often until golden, about 5-8 minutes, being careful not to burn the vermicelli.
  • Add the broth, allspice and salt and pepper. Bring to a full boil over high heat, then cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until rice is tender to bite, about 20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a sauté pan over medium heat, melt remaining 1 or 2 tablespoons butter. Add the almonds and stir often until golden, about 5 minutes. Add the raisins and stir until they puff, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Stir peas if using, parsley and lemon juice into rice. Cover and simmer until peas are hot, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Pour pilaf into a serving bowl or on a platter and sprinkle with the raisin and nut mixture over the top. (Diced dried dates, figs, apricots or chopped walnuts may also be used in this topping.)

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 573, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams, Carbohydrate 85 grams, Fat 20 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 14 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 551 milligrams, Sugar 11 grams, TransFat 0 grams

ARMENIAN RICE PILAF



Armenian Rice Pilaf image

This is a staple of Armenian homes and is always a favorite with everyone. Very easy to prepare and delicious with any meal, especially poultry. I serve this rice with breaded, baked chicken quarters.

Provided by 5lilblessings

Categories     Side Dish     Rice Side Dish Recipes     Pilaf

Time 35m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 5

½ cup butter
1 ½ cups uncooked fine egg noodles
3 cups uncooked long grain white rice
5 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
4 cubes chicken bouillon

Steps:

  • Melt butter in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the egg noodles and stir until they begin to brown, being careful not to burn the butter. Stir in the rice. Continue stirring until rice is coated with butter.
  • Pour in the chicken broth and add the bouillon cubes. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and cover tightly. Cook without uncovering pot until all the liquid has been absorbed, about 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 535.4 calories, Carbohydrate 84.9 g, Cholesterol 48 mg, Fat 16.8 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 9.2 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, Sodium 1976.1 mg, Sugar 0.2 g

AUNTIE'S ARMENIAN RICE PILAF



Auntie's Armenian Rice Pilaf image

Being of Armenian descent, I was raised on foods from that region of the world, and pilaf was one on which the children in my family cut their teeth. I never even knew rice was white until I was 17 years old as we always ate pilaf. My brothers and I had no grandmother to teach us, but we did have our great-aunt, our grandfather's sister, who filled that role, and passed-down the recipes from our ancestors to us, and now I prepare them for my own children. This pilaf recipe is it: just pilaf. Nothing fancy, no mushrooms, nor shallots or onions or pine nuts. It was our staple. We ate it with stroganoffs poured over the top, with grilled burgers on Saturday afternoons in the long, hot Summers in Long Island and then Southern California, with my mother's wonderful roasts on Sunday nights. It was the perfect side with Shish Kebob on Christmas day, and alongside our Thanksgiving turkey. This is the recipe for pilaf as Auntie taught us.

Provided by Rosie Posie 88

Categories     Medium Grain Rice

Time 35m

Yield 4 cups, 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup vermicelli
1 cup rice
2 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth, preferably homemade, heated till boiling
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

Steps:

  • In 2-qt. heavy saucepan with tight-fitting lid, melt butter over medium heat until foam subsides.
  • Add vermicelli noodles and saute until dark and reddish in color.
  • Stir in rice and saute in butter until rice is fragrant and nutty in aroma.
  • Raise heat to medium-high; pour in boiling chicken broth and stir.
  • Add salt and pepper, tasting a bit of the broth to ensure desired seasoning.
  • Cover and bring to a boil.
  • Once boiling, reduce heat to keep broth at a simmer and cook for exactly 20 minutes.
  • After 20 minutes, remove cover and taste a few grains of rice for doneness. If still a bit hard, replace cover and cook for two additional minutes.
  • When rice is tender, remove pot from heat. Place a paper napkin directly on top of the pilaf and replace cover; let sit undisturbed for 5 minutes.
  • After rest-time has elapsed, remove cover, discard the paper napkin, and stir the pilaf before serving.

GRANDMA'S ARMENIAN RICE PILAF



Grandma's Armenian Rice Pilaf image

This recipe is my grandmother's. She came from Armenia and it has been in our family for years. We all still make it and it is so easy.

Provided by Michele

Categories     Side Dish     Rice Side Dish Recipes     Pilaf

Time 43m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 ½ cups long-grain white rice
3 ½ cups chicken broth
¼ cup butter
½ cup crushed Italian vermicelli (very thin noodles)
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Soak rice in a bowl of water for 10 minutes. Drain.
  • Bring chicken broth to a boil in a large saucepan.
  • Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add vermicelli; cook and stir until brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add rice; cook and stir until combined, about 1 minute. Pour into boiling broth. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
  • Season rice with salt and pepper; fluff with a fork.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 415.1 calories, Carbohydrate 65.9 g, Cholesterol 34.9 mg, Fat 12.7 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 7.7 g, SaturatedFat 7.5 g, Sodium 964.6 mg, Sugar 1.4 g

ARMENIAN RICE PILAF



Armenian Rice Pilaf image

Very simple but delicious rice dish. You can add currants or nuts to make it fancy. If using canned chicken broth, use one can plus water to make the two cups.

Provided by manushag

Categories     Long Grain Rice

Time 25m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup Uncle Ben's converted brand rice
2 tablespoons orzo pasta or 2 tablespoons skinny noodles
1 teaspoon salt
black pepper
2 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter

Steps:

  • Heat oil and brown orzo.
  • Add rice and stir, coating rice with oil so grains will be fluffy when cooked.
  • Add chicken broth, salt and pepper. Broth should taste a little salty.
  • Cover and cook slowly for 20 minutes or until all broth is absorbed. Add currants and nuts if desired.
  • Add butter and stir.

ARMENIAN RICE PILAF WITH MUSHROOMS



Armenian Rice Pilaf with Mushrooms image

I got this from an Armenian girl who works in my bank. If you substitute margarine for the butter you have a good vegan meal.

Provided by Mirj2338

Categories     Long Grain Rice

Time 40m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/4 cup butter
1 medium onion, minced
1 cup mushroom, thickly sliced
1 small green pepper
1 medium tomatoes, peeled,seeded and chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 cup basmati rice, uncooked
1/4 teaspoon turmeric or 1/4 teaspoon saffron
1 3/4 cups vegetable broth or 1 3/4 cups stock
salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley, , for garnish (optional)

Steps:

  • In a heavy saucepan or casserole, melt the butter over moderate heat.
  • Add the onion, mushrooms and sliced green pepper and cook gently until they begin to soften.
  • Stir in the tomato together with the garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
  • Now add the rice and the turmeric or powdered saffron, and cook 2 minutes until grains are thoroughly coated with butter but not browned, stirring constantly.
  • Pour in the broth (stock), sprinkle with salt and bring to a boil, stirring.
  • Reduce the heat to low.
  • Cover and simmer for approximately 20 minutes or until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender but still firm to the bite-- not mushy.
  • Gently fluff the rice with a fork.
  • Spoon onto a heated serving platter, being careful not to mash it, and sprinkle with chopped parsley.

ARMENIAN RICE PILAF



ARMENIAN RICE PILAF image

Categories     Rice     Side     Steam     Vegetarian

Yield 4-6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 cup Mahatma basmati rice
1 can chicken broth with water added to get it to 2 cups
1-2 tbs. butter
1/2 c. FINE egg noodles

Steps:

  • melt butter, add egg noodles and saute over medium heat until golden, stirring frequently. Add broth and rice and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer on low about 15-20 mins. Remove from heat, let sit for about 10 mins. Fluff with fork and serve

Tips:

  • Use high-quality rice: Long-grain rice, such as basmati or jasmine rice, works best for pilaf. Rinse the rice thoroughly before cooking to remove any starch and impurities.
  • Toast the rice: Toasting the rice in a little bit of oil or butter before adding the liquid helps to bring out its flavor and give it a slightly nutty aroma.
  • Use a flavorful broth: The broth you use to cook the rice is important for adding flavor to the pilaf. Use a homemade broth if you have it, or a good quality store-bought broth.
  • Add vegetables and herbs: Vegetables such as carrots, celery, and onions are often added to pilaf. Herbs such as parsley, cilantro, and mint can also be added for extra flavor.
  • Let the pilaf rest before serving: After the pilaf is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the rice to absorb all the flavors and become fluffy.

Conclusion:

Armenian rice pilaf is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With its unique blend of spices and ingredients, Armenian rice pilaf is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. To achieve the best results when making Armenian rice pilaf, follow these tips: - Use high-quality rice and rinse it thoroughly before cooking. - Toast the rice in a little bit of oil or butter before adding the liquid. - Use a flavorful broth to cook the rice. - Add vegetables and herbs for extra flavor. - Let the pilaf rest before serving. By following these tips, you'll be able to make a delicious and authentic Armenian rice pilaf that everyone will enjoy.

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