Greek Festival Lemon Rice Pilaf Recipes

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan, saute onion in butter until tender.
• Add rice and orzo and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
• Add chicken broth and lemon juice and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed.
• Fluff pilaf up with fork and stir in chopped parsley.

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium size skillet over medium high heat. Add the rice and onion and sauté until both are translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the water with 1 heaping tablespoon of tomato paste, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pan. Simmer until the rice is just done, 20 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste, and the nutmeg, if using. Sprinkle with the parsley, if desired. Fluff with a fork and serve.
• NOTES: Not caring much for the flavor of plain water, a Greek cook who does not have stock on hand will usually flavor the water with tomato paste: about 1 tablespoon tomato paste to 1 cup water. This can be used for bulgur pilaf as well.
• As with bulgur pilaf, the quantity can easily be doubled, tripled, or more: Use 1 1/4 times as much liquid as rice. Be sure to increase the amount of olive oil and onion as you increase the rice and liquid.
• Adventures In Greek Cooking.

Steps:

• Heat butter in a heavy skillet. When it's hot, add the rice and, stirring constantly, saute on medium heat until transparent but not brown.
• Add the lemon juice, chicken broth, and salt.
• Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and let pilaf stand uncovered for 5 minutes before serving.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Season the lamb shanks all over with salt and pepper.
• Heat the canola oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
• Sear 2 lamb shanks at a time until a dark brown crust forms on one side, 3-5 minutes. Sear the other sides of the meat until evenly browned. Remove the shanks from the pan and set aside. Remove all but 2 tablespoons of fat from the pan.
• Add the minced carrots, onion, celery, and minced garlic to the pot. Season with salt and pepper, and cook until the vegetables are deeply caramelized, 15-20 minutes.
• Add the tomato paste and cook until it browns and is aromatic, 5 minutes.
• Add the red wine and scrape the bottom of the pot to release the flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom. Cook until the wine reduces by half and thickens slightly, 3 minutes.
• Add the chicken stock, orange juice, lemon juice, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves. Stir and bring to a boil.
• Return the lamb shanks to the Dutch oven, cover, and place in the oven for 2 hours, turning the shanks halfway through, until the lamb is tender and the braising liquid has thickened.
• About halfway through the lamb cooking time, add the oblique-cut carrots, Brussels sprouts, red pearl onions, and whole garlic cloves to a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Roast in the oven for 1 hour, or until the vegetables are tender.
• Right after the potatoes finish boiling, drain and transfer to a large bowl. Season with plenty of salt and a bit of white pepper, and mash the potatoes until as smooth as possible.
• Fold in the butter, sour cream, and heavy cream until smooth and light.
• Make the citrus gremolata: In a small bowl, combine the parsley, lemon zest, flaky salt, garlic, chives, horseradish, and orange zest.
• To serve, scoop mashed potatoes onto a plate. Add roasted vegetables and a lamb shank. Top with the braising liquid and citrus gremolata.
• Enjoy!