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Rice Pilaf with Dried Fruits and Peas
This
is a straightforward rice pilaf typical of Turkish and Persian cuisines (but
made more simply than in Persian cooking). It is, however, very colorful with
bits of vegetable and fruits. It goes well with grilled or stewed meat or
chicken dishes. Persian “barberries,” the classic fruit for pilafs, are hard to
find because of trade restrictions with Iran. Dried cranberries are now a
typical American substitute, or chopped dried apricots can be used. The recipe
serves six generously.
1-1/2
teaspoons salt
4
tablespoons olive oil, divided
3
cups water
 |
| Dish: Marmalade Pottery, Athens GA |
1
medium small onion, finely chopped
3
tablespoons sweet red pepper, diced
1
clove garlic, crushed and minced
3
tablespoons olive oil
1/2
cup frozen peas, still frozen
1/3
cup yellow raisins
1/3
cup dried apricots (‘Turkish’ work well), coarsely chopped (or use dried
cranberries)
1/4
teaspoon black pepper
1/4
teaspoon cinnamon
2
tablespoons chopped fresh dill or mint
Additional
dill or mint for garnish
Rinse
the rice well and drain. Put rinsed rice, water, salt, and 1 tablespoon olive
oil in a heavy-bottomed pot and bring to a boil. Cover tightly, lower the heat
to very low, and cook (without opening the lid) for 20 minutes. Do not open the
pan, but let the rice sit 10 minutes more with heat off. (Alternatively, the
rice can be cooked with the same ingredients in an electric rice cooker, not
opening the lid until at least 10 minutes after the light goes off.)
Meanwhile,
heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil and fry the onion until
translucent and just beginning to turn golden. Add the minced red pepper and
garlic and stir and fry for about 1 minute. Then add frozen peas and continue
to heat, stirring frequently. As soon as the mixture is hot, add the raisins
and the apricots or cranberries and let heat briefly. Remove from heat and stir
in the black pepper, cinnamon, and dill or mint.
Fluff
the rice with a two-pronged fork. Taste the rice and if not salted enough, add
a little salt to the rice in the next step. In a large bowl toss the rice and
the fruit-vegetable mixture together gently, being careful not to break the
rice grains. Return the rice to the cooking pot (or rice cooker) for storage.
The
rice can be served soon, or stored and later re-warmed in a microwave oven. Serve
stacked up on a platter or dish rather than in a bowl. Garnish with a little
fresh dill or mint, whichever was used in the rice.
