Festive Rice Pilaf

Name: Festive Rice Pilaf
Ingredients: 1 Tbsp. vegetable or safflower oil; 1 large onion, minced; 1 rib celery, minced; 1 large carrot, minced; 3/4 c. long grain brown rice; 1/2 c. hulled sunflower seeds; 1/2 sweet red pepper, seeded and diced; 1 large clove garlic, minced; 1 Tbsp. minced fresh thyme or 1 tsp. dried; 2 1/2 c. beef or chicken stock; 1 bay leaf; salt and pepper to taste (if desired)

12 ingredients

7 steps

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. vegetable or safflower oil
1 large onion, minced
1 rib celery, minced
1 large carrot, minced
3/4 c. long grain brown rice
1/2 c. hulled sunflower seeds
1/2 sweet red pepper, seeded and diced
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. minced fresh thyme or 1 tsp. dried
2 1/2 c. beef or chicken stock
1 bay leaf
salt and pepper to taste (if desired)

Directions

1

In large, heavy saucepan or pot, heat oil.
2

Add onion, celery and carrot; cook until onion is soft, about 7 minutes.
3

Add rice, sunflower seeds, red pepper, garlic and thyme.
4

Saute another 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
5

Add stock and bay leaf; cover tightly and simmer about 50 minutes, until all liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
6

If desired, sunflower seeds may be added at the end of cooking time to preserve crunchiness.
7

Makes about 4 servings.