Linda's Rice And/Or Orzo Pilaf Greek Style

"This pilaf is creamy and delicious and packed with flavor. Serve with any main meat dish, or your favorite Greek kabobs, and you'll be in for a treat!"
 
Download
photo by Gatorbek photo by Gatorbek
photo by Gatorbek
photo by Gatorbek photo by Gatorbek
Ready In:
1hr 25mins
Ingredients:
17
Serves:
10-12
Advertisement

ingredients

Advertisement

directions

  • To Make Chicken Stock:

  • In a large pot add the chicken, whole lemon, and 8 cups of water. Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and cook for 1 hour, until the chicken is very tender.
  • Remove chicken from the pot, and set aside. (Chicken can be frozen to use at another time).
  • Skim fat off stock. When the stock cools sufficiently, strain into a bowl.
  • To Make Rice: (use 4.5 cups of the chicken stock).
  • Measure out 4 1/2 cups of the stock, and pour into a large pot. Add 8 cups of hot (tap) water, and bring to a boil over medium heat.
  • When the rice/orzo starts to boil, add the rice/orzo, and stir frequently to keep from sticking.
  • When it comes to a boil, reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.
  • In The Meantime:

  • In a small skillet, heat the 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter over high heat, until it sizzles.
  • Lift the cover to the rice, and quickly pour in the hot butter and close the cover quickly, as it will spatter.
  • When the sizzling stops (a few seconds), remove the cover, and stir briefly. Remove from heat.
  • Allow to sit 5-10 minutes before serving.
  • The pilaf is supposed to be smooth and creamy, and slightly mushy.
  • To Prepare Other Rice Ingredients to add to rice once it is cooked:

  • In a large frying pan pour olive oil, then add onions, and saute over medium heat, until just softened.
  • Add the garlic, mint, and pepper. Saute for about 2 more minutes.
  • Add spinach, lemon juice, tomatoes, dill, and tomatoes. Cook for about 4 minutes.
  • Add to rice, and mix.
  • Just before serving add Feta cheese.
  • Note: Add more lemon, if needed at serving time.

Questions & Replies

Got a question? Share it with the community!
Advertisement

Reviews

  1. This was very yummy - I have a similar recipe posted, but this one will replace mine. :) I did cut the recipe in half using orzo, and we still have plenty of leftovers. We ate this pretty much as a main dish, DH and the kids also had some leftover chicken. A couple suggestions, or things I will do differently next time: I make my own stock anyway, and I'd probably use more stock than water when cooking the orzo to bring out the flavor from the chicken. Also, I'll just plop the butter onto the hot orzo rather than melting it in a separate pan. Also, I'll increase the amount of tomatoes, spinach, and especially olives as a family preference. Overall a big winner, thanks!
     
Advertisement

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

<p>Hi Everyone,</p> <p>I just don't have the time these days to send out individual thank yous for those that make and review my recipes, but I&nbsp;&nbsp;just want you to know that you are truly appreciated and it tickles me every time I get a review, knowing you tried my recipes and enjoyed them the way I do.</p> <p>I even appreciate the ones that tried them and for some reason they didn't work out for you. &nbsp;Everyone has different tastes, and you can't please everyone all the time. &nbsp;</p> <p>Lots of times people change the recipes, adding things, leaving things out, and not seasoning them to their own taste, and give a bad review... &nbsp;Recipes are only guidelines, and if you follow mine and don't like it, then it's a personal preference as to why you don't like it, and I appreciate that. &nbsp;However, if you don't follow my recipe then it is YOUR recipe that you don't like, and my recipe shouldn't be rated. IMHO &nbsp; Thanks for trying them anyway &nbsp;:)</p> <p>Hugs,</p> <p>Linda</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>My name is Linda. I am happily single, and I live in Rochester NH. I just moved back to the town where most of my family lived years ago, and where I lived as a child, after living in NC for 5 years. I have 2 grown sons, a dil, and 2 beautiful grandsons. <br /> <br />I really enjoy my time here on Zaar posting recipes, trying new recipes, taking pictures, and reviewing lots of yummy recipes! <br /> <br />I love to cook, and share recipes. The recipes that I share are mainly my own creations, or family recipes passed down to me from my mom and grandmother, and other family members or friends. If I post something from somewhere else, it has to sound REALLY good to me for me to post it! <br /> <br />Many of the dishes that I prepare are simple, good, down home cooking. Many of them originate from New England, as my grandmother is from Maine, and my mother from New Hampshire. I do also like to try making some gourmet recipes as well, using my creativity along the way. <br /> <br />I started cooking at a the age of 8, helping my mother and grandmother in the kitchen. My curiosity for cooking has led me to create many of my own recipes through trial and error. I hope you enjoy them as much as my family and I do :) <br /> <br />In my spare time I play on my computer collecting recipes, and have been working on creating a cookbook to publish for some time, but have put it aside for now. <br /> <br />I also love to travel and shop. I love to go to the beach and mountains, and as food is a passion of mine, I love to dine out and try many different cuisines in the area, and with friends when I am traveling :) <br /> <br />I made my first herb garden in 2008, but have had vegetable gardens for many years in the past. I have done my share of canning and I love those fresh herbs and veggies all summer long! <br /> <br /> <br />My Rating System: <br /> <br />5 Stars ***** Outstanding recipe that I absolutely loved. It can be down home or restaurant quality, as long as it tastes great and I didn't have to make any changes along the way! Also recipe has to have clear directions. One I would definately make again and again. <br /> <br />4 Stars **** Great recipe that I loved, but one that I may have had to tweak just a bit. Directions may have not been crystal clear. One I would make again and again with my changes. <br /> <br />3 Stars *** I liked the recipe, but had to add ingredients, or add more of a called for ingredient to have the recipe come out the way I like it. I would probably make again sometime. <br /> <br />2 Stars ** This recipe was ok, but I probably wouldn't make it again due to lack of taste, undesireable texture, or unclear directions etc. <br /> <br />1 Star * This recipe was one I didn't like at all. Either the amounts of ingredients were wrong (too little flavor or too much of one/some of the ingredients in the recipe), or the recipe didn't come out right following the directions given. Lack of directions. <br /> <br />No Stars - I have tried the recipe in the past and want to make a comment, or I am adding a comment about the recipe posted, possibly a tip or what I feel to be important information about the recipe. <br /> <br /><a href=http://www.sparklee.com><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://img109.mytextgraphics.com/sparklee/2008/06/25/8219d39724611006c824863f62e57014.gif border=0 alt=Glitter Graphics - /></a></p> <div style=color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffffff; margin: 7px;> <p><a href=http://www.sparklee.com><br />4-09 Lazyme's Cook-A-Thon&nbsp;<br /><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u208/diner_photos/lazymecookathon.jpg alt= />&nbsp;<br /><br />2/09 Top Recipes For 2008 Participant&nbsp;<br /><br />2-09 Newest Zaar Tag Game Participant&nbsp;<br /><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a254/Sharon123/Copyoftag300-banner.jpg border=0 alt=Susie's Banner for Newest Zaar Tag /><br /><br />2-09 1-2-3 Hit Wonders Tag Game Participant&nbsp;<br /><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj81/HokiesLady65/Recipezaar%20Album/iplaytagin.jpg alt= />&nbsp;<br /><br />11-08 My-3-Chefs Participant&nbsp;<br /><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e110/flower753/Food/my3chefsnov2008.jpg alt= /><br /><br />10-08 Appreciation Goes To Kathy and Lisa at Recipezaar&nbsp;<br /><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/carolinamoon21/Ingredients/Other/Elves-appreciationSTICKER.jpg alt= />&nbsp;<br /><br />10-08 Zaar Stars Tag Game Participant&nbsp;<br /><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/tgifford/Game%20Room%20Banners/AM%20Banners/ZaarStar-AMBanner.jpg border=0 alt=Photobucket />&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />6-1-08 My-3-Chefs 2008 Participant&nbsp;<br /><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2/kiwidutch/My-3-Chefs%20banners/my3chefs2008Small.jpg border=0 alt=Photobucket /><br /><br /><br />PAC Spring 2008 Paticipation Banner&nbsp;<br /><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/PAC08Main.jpg alt= />&nbsp;<br /><br />PAC Spring 2008 Adoption Banner&nbsp;<br /><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/adoptedspring08.jpg alt= />&nbsp;<br /><br />3-08 Auz/NZ Recipe Swap #14 Darwin Stubbies&nbsp;<br /><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://www.satsleuth.com/cooking/Swap14.JPG alt= />&nbsp;<br /><br /></a><a href=http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/Missymop/?action=view?t=darwinstubbies.jpg target=_blank><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y254/Missymop/darwinstubbies.jpg border=0 alt=Photobucket /></a>&nbsp;<br /><br />2-7-08 Chinese/Vietnamese New Year Tag Game&nbsp;<br /><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/CV.jpg border=0 alt=Photobucket />&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />2-08 RSC#11&nbsp;<br /><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/RSC%20Banners/RSC11-Participant.jpg alt= />&nbsp;<br /><br />12-30-07 Cooking Photo Swap #7 Cooking Photo Forum&nbsp;<br /><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/carolinamoon21/Ingredients/Other/photo-swap-7sticky.jpg alt= />&nbsp;<br /><br />11-17-07 Candy Swap&nbsp;<br /><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j10/housedaughter/candy.jpg alt= />&nbsp;<br /><br />11-1-07 I Can't Live Without It Swap - No Banner&nbsp;<br /><br />11-07 Cook-A-Thon for Cool Monday&nbsp;<br /><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/tgifford/participation%20banners/coolmonday-particiation.jpg border=0 alt=Cookathon for Cool Monday (1) />&nbsp;<br /><br />10-07 O Is For October Photo Event&nbsp;<br /><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/carolinamoon21/Ingredients/Octoberevent.jpg alt= />&nbsp;<br /><br />PAC Fall 2007 Participation Banner&nbsp;<br /><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/smPACp.jpg alt= />&nbsp;<br /><br />PAC Fall 2007 Adoption Banner&nbsp;<br /><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/Adopted1smp.jpg alt= />&nbsp;<br /><br />9-27-07 Christmas Stocking Swap&nbsp;<br /><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/carolinamoon21/Stockingswap.jpg alt= />&nbsp;<br /><br />9-07 Fall Halloween Swap - No Banner&nbsp;<br /><br />9-07 BBQ Sauce Cook Off&nbsp;<br /><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/BBQParticipantBanner-Final.jpg alt= />&nbsp;<br /><br /><br />9-25-07 Cake-A-Thon For Chef-I-Am&nbsp;<br /><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e347/Saturn6666/Other/tagforpage1.jpg alt= />&nbsp;<br /><br />9-23-04 RSC #6&nbsp;<br /><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/RSC%20Banners/RSC6-NoPhoto-Participant.jpg alt= />&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><a href=http://www.sparklee.com><br /><br /> <object style=background-color: #ffffcc; background-image: url(/tiny_mce/plugins/media/img/flash.gif); background-position: 50% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 1px dotted #cc0000; width=550 height=293 data=http://www.travbuddy.com/flash/countries_map.swf?id=3640303 type=application/x-shockwave-flash> <param name=data value=http://www.travbuddy.com/flash/countries_map.swf?id=3640303 /> <param name=bgcolor value=#372060 /> <param name=src value=http://www.travbuddy.com/flash/countries_map.swf?id=3640303 /> <param name=quality value=high /> </object> <br /><br /></a><a href=http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-widgets><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://www.travbuddy.com/images/widget_map_promote.gif border=0 alt= /></a>&nbsp;<br /><a href=http://www.travbuddy.com/hotels><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://www.travbuddy.com/images/widget_map_promote_hotels.gif border=0 alt= /></a>&nbsp;<br /><br /><a href=http://www.amazingcounter.com><img style=border: 0px initial initial; src=http://cb.amazingcounters.com/counter.php?i=2383774&amp;c=7151635 border=0 alt=Amazing Counters /></a><a href=http://www.edatingcentral.com/news/dating-sincerity.html></a>&nbsp;Added September 2008</p> <p><a href=http://www.amazingcounters.com><img src=http://cb.amazingcounters.com/counter.php?i=2914309&amp;c=8743240 border=0 alt=Free Web Counters /></a>Added November 24, 2010</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div>
 
View Full Profile
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Find More Recipes