Apricot and Pine Nut Pilaf

Now here's a yummy recipe. We make it in our rice cooker a lot and I love it!! Sorry no pictures because I'm not making it right now. But, I thought I'd share it anyway.

First, before you get started saute your pine nuts in butter letting them get a bit brown. This makes a huge difference in the final flavor.

Second, this is a rice cooker recipe. I'll try and give the directions in a way you can make it without one though.

You will need:
1 Tablespoon Veg. oil
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter (I use margarine, because that's all we ever have)
1/4 c. diced shallots (I skip these too, but you can add them, if you like them)
1 cup long-grain white rice
1 3/4 cups chicken stock
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup pine nuts
1/4 cup chopped dried apricots

Before starting, I would follow the ratio of water(chicken stock) to rice that is mentioned on your preferred way of making rice. On the back of the bag or box. (Or do like in the recipe if you are using a rice cooker.)

1. Place your oil and 1 TBS of the butter in your pot. When the butter is melted add the shallots. Cook, stirring a few times until they are soft (about two minutes). Add the rice and cook, stirring a few times until the rice turns opaque, about 5 minutes. Then add the stock and salt; stir to combine. Then, close the cover and cook the rice as directed on the rice bag or box.

2. While the rice is cooking, melt the remaining 2 TBS butter in a small saute pan. Add the pine nuts and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until evenly browned. (I do this before the rice when I can watch them because they are so easy to burn.) The butter should be richly browned but not burnt. Set aside.

3. When your rice is fully cooked, and you are ready to eat it, add the pine nuts in their butter and the apricots. Close the cover and let the rice steam for 10 minutes. Fluff the rice and serve immediately.

You can keep rice warm for 1 to 2 hours but don't add your pine nuts and apricots until 10 minutes before serving.

Note: Here are the rice cooker directions:
1. Set the rice cooker for Quick Cook or regular cycle. Place the oil and 1 TBS of the butter in the rice bowl. When the butter is melted, add the shallots. Cook, stirring a few times, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the rice and cook, stirring a few times, until it turns opaque, about 5 minutes. Add the stock and salt; stir just to combine. close the cover and reset for the regular cycle or let the regular cycle complete.
2. While the rice is cooking, melt the remaining 2 TBS butter in a small saute pan. Add the pine nuts and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until evenly browned. The butter should be richly browned but not burnt. Set aside.
3. When the machine switches to the Keep Warm cycle, add the pine nuts in their butter and the apricots. Close the cover and let the rice steam for 10 minutes. Fluff the rice with a wooden or plastic rice paddle or wooden spoon. Serve immediately.
This recipe comes from The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook.