Can I use saffron in this recipe?

Traditionally this middle eastern rice dish doesn't contain any saffron, however, you can easily add some if you'd like. Saffron will add a delicately sweet and floral taste to it that will go exceptionally great with lamb versions of this dish too.

Can I add lamb to this pilaf?

This is a recipe that can definitely be made ahead of time. To reheat it simply add a splash of water to the mixture. Slowly reheat the rice while gently stirring every few minutes. Alternatively, you can reheat the pilaf in a microwave.

Is it freezer-friendly?

It is definitely possible to freeze rice pilaf, but we wouldn’t recommend it. The taste and texture simply won’t be as good compared to freshly made. Our rice pilaf recipe is best on the day it has been made.

Turkish Rice with Raisins and Nuts (Ic Pilav)

Name: Turkish Rice with Raisins and Nuts (Ic Pilav)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons pine nuts; 1 small onion, chopped; 1 cup rice, rinsed well; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon allspice; 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon; 2 tablespoons currants/raisins; 1 and 1/2 cups hot water; 1/4 cup parsley; 1-2 tablespoons pine nuts

Turkish Rice with Raisins and Nuts (Ic Pilav)

Rice with raisins, pine nuts and herbs in a white bowl and a spoon inside it.

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5 from 5 reviews

Rice cooked in olive oil with onions and enriched with pine nuts, currants/raisins and allspice, cinnamon and black pepper.

Author: Zerrin & Yusuf
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 1x
Category: Sides
Method: Cooking
Cuisine: Turkish
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Units Scale

3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons pine nuts
1 small onion, chopped
1 cup rice, rinsed well
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons currants/raisins
1 and 1/2 cups hot water
1/4 cup parsley

Optional topping:

1-2 tablespoons pine nuts

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Instructions

Heat olive oil in a pan. Add in 2 tablespoons of pine nuts and onions. Cook until onions become translucent.
Add in rice, salt, sugar, cinnamon, allspice and raisins. Cook for 5 minutes stirring occasionally.
Pour 1 and 1/2 cups hot water and let it cook covered over medium heat until it boils.
Bring the heat to the lowest when it starts to boil and let it simmer until the rice is soft and all the water is gone.
When there isn’t any water left in the pan, remove from the heat. Uncover, put a paper towel on the top and put the lid back. Let it sit for about 15 minutes. Uncover and add parsley. Give it a gentle stir.
For the optional topping, put pine nuts in a pan in a single layer without adding oil. Toast until golden brown.
Serve the rice with toasted pine nuts on the top.

Notes

Don’t skip cooking the rice with spices for about 5 minutes. Don’t pour water earlier than this.
Don’t rush and cook it over medium high heat. A good pilaf needs some time. So cook it over low heat until all the water is absorbed.
You can substitute chicken stock for plain water to have more flavor.
Put a paper towel on the surface of the rice after removing it from the heat. This will help remove any humidity and result in a fluffier rice.
Don’t serve it without letting it rest for 15 minutes.
We highly recommend the optional pine nut topping.They give a nice crunch.
You can serve this at room temperature the next day.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 275
Sugar: 3.1 g
Sodium: 590.8 mg
Fat: 11.8 g
Carbohydrates: 39.6 g
Protein: 3.8 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg

Find it online: https://www.giverecipe.com/rice-with-currants/