Best 7 Aunt Helens Rice Pilaf Recipes

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**Unveiling the Delights of Aunt Helen's Rice Pilaf: A Culinary Journey Through Time and Taste**

Embark on a delightful culinary adventure with Aunt Helen's Rice Pilaf, a dish that has stood the test of time, captivating taste buds across generations. This classic rice dish, originating from the heart of Persia, has found its way into countless kitchens worldwide, leaving a trail of satisfied palates in its wake. With its aromatic blend of spices, tender, fluffy rice, and a medley of vegetables, each bite transports you to a realm of culinary bliss. Discover the secrets behind this timeless recipe and explore variations that add a unique twist to the traditional delight. From the classic long-grain rice to the vibrant medley of vegetables, every element of this dish comes together in perfect harmony, creating a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving more.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

AUNT HELEN'S RICE PILAF



Aunt Helen's Rice Pilaf image

My Aunt Helen used to make this to accompany her Sunday Rib Roasts or a thick and juicy London Broil. Aunt Helen passed away twenty years ago but her Rice Pilaf recipe remains a favorite of ours. It's very simple to prepare, no frills, but very tasty.

Provided by Crabzilla

Categories     Rice

Time 35m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

1/4 cup butter
3/4 cup birds nest angel hair pasta (broken up into pieces)
1 cup Uncle Ben's converted brand rice (NOT INSTANT)
2 1/4 cups chicken broth
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Steps:

  • Melt butter over moderate heat.
  • Add birds nest angel hair pasta and stir constantly until nicely browned.
  • Be careful, as the pasta can burn VERY quickly.
  • Add rice to the pot and blend with pasta.
  • Add the chicken broth, salt, and garlic powder.
  • Bring to boil.
  • Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for about 20-25 minutes.
  • When cooked, stir and let set for about 5-10 minutes.

EASY RICE PILAF WITH PEAS AND CARROTS



Easy Rice Pilaf with Peas and Carrots image

Rice pilaf with fluffy basmati rice, warming spices, and aromatics is a delicious way to take plain ol' rice to the next level! Perfect for busy weeknights as it comes together in just 30 minutes!

Provided by Suzy Karadsheh

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 cups basmati rice
Extra virgin olive oil
1 small yellow onion, (finely chopped)
2 garlic cloves, (minced)
1 cup frozen peas
2 to 3 carrots, (peeled and chopped)
Kosher salt
½ teaspoon coriander
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon Aleppo pepper
¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
¼ cup walnut halves, (toasted)
¼ cup pine nuts, (toasted)
¼ cup sliced almonds, (toasted)
¼ cup dried fruit, (such as raisins or chopped dried apricots)

Steps:

  • Wash the rice very well a few times until the water is clear. You can let it soak in water for about 10 minutes or so while preparing the rest of the ingredients.
  • In a large heavy pan with a lid, heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes, tossing regularly until softened. Add the peas and carrots. Season with a good pinch of kosher salt. Add the spices and mix to combine. Cook for another 5 minutes or so, tossing regularly until the carrots have softened.
  • Drain the rice well and add it to the pan. Toss around to make sure the rice is well-coated with the spices. Pour in 2 ¼ cup of water. And season well with a big dash of kosher salt. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to low. Cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until the rice is cooked through and has absorbed all the liquid.
  • Allow the rice about 5 to 10 minutes to rest before serving.
  • Serve with the nuts and raisins on top.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 282.4 kcal, Carbohydrate 48.1 g, Protein 6.6 g, Fat 7.4 g, SaturatedFat 0.7 g, Sodium 18.1 mg, Fiber 3.4 g, Sugar 2.8 g, UnsaturatedFat 6 g, ServingSize 1 serving

SARAH'S RICE PILAF



Sarah's Rice Pilaf image

This is a delicious twist to traditional rice.

Provided by sarahbillings

Categories     Side Dish     Rice Side Dish Recipes     Pilaf

Time 50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 tablespoons butter
½ cup orzo pasta
½ cup diced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup uncooked white rice
2 cups chicken broth

Steps:

  • Melt the butter in a lidded skillet over medium-low heat. Cook and stir orzo pasta until golden brown. Stir in onion and cook until onion becomes translucent, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Mix in the rice and chicken broth. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender, and the liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 244 calories, Carbohydrate 40 g, Cholesterol 17.8 mg, Fat 6.5 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 5.9 g, SaturatedFat 3.8 g, Sodium 524.3 mg, Sugar 2.4 g

RICE PILAF



Rice Pilaf image

Provided by Alton Brown

Categories     side-dish

Time 55m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tablespoons butter
1/2 onion, minced
1/2 red bell pepper, minced
2 pinches kosher salt
2 cups long grain rice
2 3/4 cups chicken broth
2 strips orange zest
Pinch of saffron strands, steeped in 1/4 cup hot water
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed
Golden raisins and pistachios for garnish

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a heavy, wide, lidded pan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add onion, red pepper, and kosher salt. Sweat the onions and peppers until aromatic, stirring constantly. Add the rice and stir to coat. Continue stirring until rice smells nutty. Add chicken broth, orange zest, saffron and water, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Stir once, then cover pan with moistened dish towel (or tea towel). Place lid on pan and fold towel corners over lid. Bake for 15 minutes. Then rest at room temperature for 10 to 20 minutes without removing the cover.
  • Meanwhile, simmer peas in salted water until heated through or heat in a microwave.
  • Remove lid from rice and turn out onto a platter. Add peas and fluff with a large fork. Add raisins and pistachios.

RICE COOKER RICE PILAF



Rice Cooker Rice Pilaf image

My husband loves this rice pilaf. Everytime I make rice he requests it. Hopefull you'll like it too! It takes a little extra preparation than a rice mix, but I think it's well worth it. You can also use wild rice, instead of white rice, but you'll need to add more liquid and it will take longer to cook.

Provided by strawberrybird

Categories     White Rice

Time 25m

Yield 1/2 cup, 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 1/2 cups white rice (I use jasmine, but any white rice will work)
2 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 small onion, diced
2 teaspoons margarine or 2 teaspoons butter
2 teaspoons minced garlic cloves

Steps:

  • In a small frying pan over medium heat, sautee the onion and garlic until onion is translucent. The garlic will cause the onion to scorch a bit, don't worry, it gives it flavor.
  • Add the rice, sauted onion and garlic, almonds, mushrooms, and chicken broth to a 4 cup capacity or larger rice cooker.
  • Stir briefly to distribute ingredients.
  • Set to cook. When done, let sit for 10 minutes.
  • Stir and enjoy!
  • Depending on your rice cooker, the bottom may get brown. I like it, it gives it some extra zip!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 227.6, Fat 4.2, SaturatedFat 0.6, Sodium 267.9, Carbohydrate 40.3, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 0.9, Protein 6.2

CLASSIC RICE PILAF



Classic Rice Pilaf image

Cooking a perfect batch of white rice without a rice cooker can be a challenge. That's why we are going for forget about cooking rice on the stove and show you the incredibly delicious and absolutely foolproof world of pilaf!

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Side Dish     Rice Side Dish Recipes     Pilaf

Time 1h5m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ onion, chopped
2 cups long-grain white rice
3 cups chicken stock
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 pinch saffron
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Melt butter and olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until onion is lightly browned, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Combine rice and onion mixture in a 9x13-inch casserole dish placed on a baking sheet. Stir thoroughly to coat the rice.
  • Combine chicken stock, salt, saffron, and cayenne pepper in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Pour chicken stock mixture over rice in the casserole dish and stir to combine. Spread mixture evenly along the bottom of the pan. Cover tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Remove foil and fluff with a fork to separate the grains of rice.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 312.4 calories, Carbohydrate 51.7 g, Cholesterol 10.6 mg, Fat 9.1 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 5 g, SaturatedFat 3.3 g, Sodium 955.6 mg, Sugar 1.2 g

AUNT HELEN'S GREEN CONGEALED SALAD



Aunt Helen's Green Congealed Salad image

Posted in response to a request. I rec'd this recipe from my aunt in 1971. Prep times are estimates; I don't recall how long it takes to chill the Jello "til thickened."

Provided by Impera_Magna

Categories     Fruit

Time 40m

Yield 16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 cup cottage cheese
1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup evaporated milk, chilled
1 (3 ounce) package lime Jell-O gelatin
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup boiling water

Steps:

  • Dissolve jellow in boiling water; add vinegar; chill til thickened.
  • Whip evaporated milk; fold into thickened jello together with remaining ingredients.
  • Turn into buttered 8 cup mold and chill til firm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 116, Fat 6.2, SaturatedFat 1.7, Cholesterol 6.5, Sodium 157.4, Carbohydrate 11.6, Fiber 1, Sugar 7.4, Protein 4.7

Tips:

  • Use high-quality rice: Long grain rice like Basmati or Jasmine rice is recommended. They cook evenly and have a fluffy texture.
  • Rinse the rice: Rinsing the rice removes excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming sticky and clumpy.
  • Use a heavy-bottomed pot: A heavy-bottomed pot distributes heat evenly, preventing the rice from scorching.
  • Follow the liquid to rice ratio: The liquid to rice ratio for rice pilaf is typically 1.5 cups of liquid to 1 cup of rice.
  • Toast the rice: Toasting the rice in butter or oil before adding the liquid enhances the flavor and gives the rice a nutty aroma.
  • Use flavorful broth: Use vegetable broth, chicken broth, or beef broth instead of water for added flavor.
  • Add aromatics: Aromatics like onions, garlic, and celery add depth of flavor to the rice pilaf.
  • Season the rice: Season the rice pilaf with salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices to taste.
  • Let the rice rest: After cooking, let the rice pilaf rest for a few minutes before fluffing it with a fork. This allows the rice to absorb the remaining liquid and become fluffy.

Conclusion:

Rice pilaf is a versatile and delicious side dish that can be enjoyed with a variety of main courses. By following these tips and using high-quality ingredients, you can create a perfect rice pilaf that will impress your family and friends. Experiment with different ingredients and flavors to create your own unique rice pilaf recipe. Whether you prefer a simple and classic pilaf or one with more complex flavors, you're sure to find a recipe in this article that you'll love. So go ahead and give it a try, and enjoy the deliciousness of homemade rice pilaf!

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