Pilaf with Orzo

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

This Pilaf is a favourite in my home. We first experienced this delightful rice dish during our fist visit to Lefke in Cyprus. My youngest son in particular loves it and is always asking me "Mum make that rice we had in Cyprus, the one that has those brown bits in it" :)

Pilaf mould.

So here it is, Pilaf with orzo, perfect accompaniment to stews.

Ingredients

4 cups Basmati rice
1 cup Orzo
4 tbsn Ghee
8 cups of water
salt to taste

Method

1. Wash rice till water runs clear and leave soaking for 15mins.
2. In the meantime fry Orzo in dry pan on medium to low heat until it turn golden brown.

3. Add ghee and drained rice and toss together till all rice and orzo is coated in ghee, cook for about 3 minutes.

4. Pour in the warm water and turn up heat until it comes to a boil, turn down and leave to simmer.

5. When water has all soaked, take a clean damp dish cloth and place over top of pan, as not to touch the rice. Place lid on top and turn heat down low. If you have a diffuser then place this on over hob and pan op top of it. This process is called 'Dum' and will make rice lovely and fluffy. Turn heat off after 5 mins and leave for another 5 minutes to rest. Then serve.

Serving suggestion

Bil-hana wa as-shifa'a!
(May you have your meal with gladness and health)