On The Side

A few ways to make flavored rice mixes (rice pilaf).

1 c. long-grain rice
Flavor Recipe (choose below)
2 T. butter 
2 and 1/2 c. HOT water

Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat.  Sauté rice, stirring constantly, just until it takes on a translucent quality; do not let the kernels pop.  Slowly stir in the water, then stir in your choice of  Flavor Recipe from below;  bring to a full boil; cover and lower heat to lowest. Simmer for 20 minutes, until nearly all liquid is absorbed and the rice looks just a bit too moist to serve. Turn off heat, let stand for 10 minutes, keep covered.
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Each of the following recipes makes enough for one recipe above. Also, these recipes are meant for bouillon cubes that mix with 8 oz. of water. If you prefer to substitute bouillon cubes that mix with 6 oz. of water, or to use powdered bouillon, you will need to make changes accordingly. 

Chicken flavor:
3 chicken bouillon cubes, crushed

1/8 to 1/4 tsp. garlic powder/granules
1/4 tsp. parsley flakes

Beef flavor:
3 beef bouillon cubes, crushed

up to 1/2 tsp. garlic powder/granules
3 dashes pepper

Onion flavor:
3 beef bouillon cubes, crushed
2 T. dried chopped onion
3 dashes pepper

Mushroom flavor:
3 chicken or beef bouillon cubes, crushed
2 to 3 T. freeze-dried mushroom slices, broken into bits (or some canned mushrooms, chopped)

Celery flavor:
3 chicken bouillon cubes, crushed
3 T. dried cut celery, broken in small bits (or diced fresh celery)

1/4 tsp. garlic powder/granules
3 dashes pepper

Curry flavor:
3 chicken bouillon cubes, crushed
1 to 2 tsp. curry powder, to taste

Oriental flavor:
3 chicken bouillon cubes, crushed
2 tsp. dried cut celery, broken in bits
2 tsp. dried mushroom slices, broken into bits
1 tsp. dried minced onion

1/2 tsp. dried garlic bits

1/2 to 1 tsp. sesame seed oil
dash or two of powdered ginger
add several dashes soy sauce to boiling water

Spanish flavor:
3 chicken bouillon cubes, crushed
2 T. dried green pepper flakes (or fresh chopped green bell pepper)
2 T. dried minced onion
1/4 tsp. chili powder

up to 1/2 tsp garlic powder/granules
1 to 2 T. dried tomato powder

(suggest mixing the chili powder, garlic powder, and tomato powder)

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