Pilafian's Pilaf

The Ultimate Version

This recipe for rice pilaf is from Peter Pilafian, my dad. Our ancestors in Armenia were responsible for bringing the pilaf to the village feasts.

Recipe

Pilafian's Pilaf

Quantity	Ingredient
4 tablespoons	butter
1 handful	fine egg noodles
1 (large)	clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup	chopped onion
1 cup	sliced mushrooms
1/2 teaspoon	dried dill weed
1 cup	white rice (regular uncooked)
2 cups	chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon (or to taste)	salt
1/2 cup	lightly toasted pine nuts (optional)

Directions

1) Melt butter in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Stir in noodles and let them brown (do not let butter or noodles burn). Add garlic, onion, mushroom and dill weed. Saute 3 minutes. Stir in rice and saute until it takes on a whitish, non-translucent appearance.

2) Meanwhile, heat the broth and salt to boiling in another pan. Pour over rice mixture and stir briefly. Cover pan tightly and simmer 25-30 minutes (steam will subside toward end of cooking time). Do not peek.

3) Remove pan from heat. Toss pilaf lightly; then cover pan, placing a dry cloth of paper towel between pan and lid to absorb moisture. Let stand 10 minutes (a very important step). Serve topped with pine nuts, if desired.

Makes 6 servings.

Here's my dad just outside of
a village in Belize called Armenia.