Best 5 Greek Vegetable Pilaf Recipes

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Greek vegetable pilaf is a flavorful and aromatic dish that combines the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with the wholesome goodness of whole grains. This delightful entrée is a symphony of textures and tastes, featuring tender rice, crisp vegetables, and savory herbs. Whether you're looking for a satisfying vegetarian main course or a colorful side dish to accompany roasted meats or grilled fish, this Greek vegetable pilaf is sure to please.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

GREEK VEGETABLE PILAF



Greek Vegetable Pilaf image

I created this on the fly one evening, and even my very picky son liked it well enough that he wants to have it again. You can save some time by cooking the lentils and couscous while the vegetables simmer. I serve it as a vegetarian main dish, but it could be a side dish just as easily. Za'tar is a mixture of thyme and sesame seeds, and sumac is a citrus-flavored spice that is made from crushed sumac berries--NOT to be confused with American poison sumac that is not edible. Both can be purchased in Mediterranean grocery stores or online.

Provided by KiminyMe

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 40m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 cups plain yogurt
1 tablespoon ground sumac
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon onion, minced
1 cup dried red lentils
2 cups couscous, uncooked
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
3 medium carrots, sliced
1/2 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and cut
2 cups spinach, raw, chopped roughly
1 tablespoon za'atar spice mix
salt and pepper, to taste
8 ounces feta, diced
2 fresh tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced

Steps:

  • Make the yogurt-sumac sauce by mixing together yogurt, sumac powder, 1 clove minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon minced onion. Allow to sit at room temperature for about an hour. (Can be made ahead of time and refrigerated.).
  • Cook the lentils in simmering water until tender, following package directions. Drain and set aside.
  • Put couscous in a bowl with 3 cups of boiling water. Stir and let sit away from heat until all water is absorbed and couscous is tender. Set aside.
  • Heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until onion is transparent. Add garlic and bell pepper, and sauté for 2-3 minutes, until vegetables are softened. Add carrots and green beans. Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes, until green beans are tender. Stir occasionally.
  • When green beans are cooked, stir in the spinach and simmer 1-2 minutes, until spinach is wilted. Stir in the za'tar, salt and pepper to taste, and remove from heat.
  • Mix the vegetable mixture with the lentils, couscous, and feta. Stir gently until well combined. Serve topped with diced tomatoes and cucumber, and with yogurt-sumac sauce to taste.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 839.9, Fat 21.8, SaturatedFat 12.3, Cholesterol 69.5, Sodium 788, Carbohydrate 122.2, Fiber 24, Sugar 18.1, Protein 39.8

GREEK CHICKEN PILAF



Greek Chicken Pilaf image

Make and share this Greek Chicken Pilaf recipe from Food.com.

Provided by ratherbeswimmin

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped yellow onion
2 -3 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 lemon, juice of (about 3 tablespoons)
1/4-1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt, to taste
fresh ground pepper
2 1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken breasts
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup pitted kalamata olive

Steps:

  • In a skillet over medium heat, add oil and let it heat up a bit.
  • Add in onion and garlic; stir/saute for 5 minutes or until tender.
  • Add in rice and cook/stir 1 minute longer.
  • Add in tomato sauce, lemon juice, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper; stir to combine.
  • Transfer mixture to a 2-quart casserole dish that has been lightly sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Add in chicken and broth; stir to combine.
  • Cover and bake in a 350° oven for ABOUT 1 hour or until the liquid is absorbed.
  • Sprinkle with feta cheese and olives.
  • Let rest 5-10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 279.4, Fat 9.3, SaturatedFat 2.8, Cholesterol 54.6, Sodium 649.6, Carbohydrate 26, Fiber 1.5, Sugar 3.6, Protein 22

GREEK BULGUR PILAF



Greek Bulgur Pilaf image

The two grains usually cooked into stirs and pilafs are wheat-in the form of pligouri, or bulgur-and rizi, rice. Occasionally pearl barley sits beneath a roast, shows up in a vegetable mix, or becomes part of a pancake. Bulgur pilaf appears most commonly in northern Greece, rice virtually everywhere across the nation.

Provided by Olha7397

Categories     Greek

Time 45m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium bulgur or 1 cup coarse ground bulgur
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups meat stock (or mixture of 1 1/2 cups water and 1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste) or 1 1/2 cups vegetable stock (or mixture of 1 1/2 cups water and 1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste)
salt & freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a medium size skillet over medium high heat. Add the bulgur and onion and sauté until both are translucent, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the stock, (or vegetable stock, or a mixture of 1 1/2 cups water and 1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste) bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and cover the pan. Simmer until the bulgur is just tender and all the liquid is absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste, then cover and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve. Serves 4.
  • NOTE: If you wish to increase the quantity, just remember that you need 1 1/2 times as much liquid as bulgur. Be sure also to increase the amount of olive oil and onion as you increase the bulgur and stock.
  • The Olive and The Caper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 217.6, Fat 8.3, SaturatedFat 1.3, Cholesterol 2.7, Sodium 135.2, Carbohydrate 31.1, Fiber 6.6, Sugar 2.1, Protein 6.7

MY BIG FAT GREEK PILAF



My Big Fat Greek Pilaf image

Make and share this My Big Fat Greek Pilaf recipe from Food.com.

Provided by The Spice Guru

Categories     Greek

Time 50m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 cup long grain rice
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons orzo pasta, broken into short strips or 2 tablespoons spaghetti, broken into 1 inch strips
1 tablespoon sliced almonds
1 tablespoon whole pine nuts
2 cups vegetable broth or 2 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon thinly snipped green onion top
1 tablespoon snipped fresh parsley
1/2 tablespoon snipped fresh dill or 1/4 teaspoon dried dill
1/2 tablespoon snipped of fresh mint or 1/4 teaspoon dried mint
1 teaspoon garlic paste
1/2 teaspoon honey or 1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon crushed dried oregano
1 dash fresh ground black pepper
1 dash fine sea salt
2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese

Steps:

  • MELT 2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat in a medium saucepan.
  • ADD 1 cup rice, 2 tablespoons orzo or spaghetti, 1 tablespoon sliced almonds and 1 tablespoon pine nuts.
  • SAUTE to an even light golden brown color, being careful not to overbrown or scorch.
  • ADD 2 cups vegetable broth or 2 cups chicken broth, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon thinly snipped green onion tops, 1 tablespoon snipped fresh parsley, 1/2 tablespoon snipped fresh dill or 1/4 teaspoon dried dill , 1/2 tablespoon snipped fresh mint or 1/4 teaspoon dried mint, 1 teaspoon garlic paste, 1/2 teaspoon honey or 1/4 teaspoon sugar, 1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon zest, 1/4 teaspoon crushed dried oregano, 1 dash fresh ground black pepper, 1 dash fine sea salt; STIR; TASTE the broth (It should be slightly salty, slightly tangy and not too bitter. Now is the time to make any adjustments).
  • BRING to a rolling boil; ALLOW to boil for 1 minute.
  • REDUCE heat to lowest setting.
  • SIMMER covered for 35-40 minutes.
  • FLUFF rice with a fork.
  • FOLD in feta cheese to rice until just combined.
  • SERVE with your favorite meat, fish or vegetable entree and ENJOY!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 286.4, Fat 9.8, SaturatedFat 5, Cholesterol 21.6, Sodium 163.4, Carbohydrate 43.3, Fiber 1.2, Sugar 1.5, Protein 5.8

AWESOME RICE PILAF



Awesome Rice Pilaf image

Rice combined with a medley of vegetables and spices. A great side dish with chicken and pork. Leftovers are great for lunch the next day.

Provided by tooshay

Categories     Side Dish     Rice Side Dish Recipes     Pilaf

Time 55m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 17

3 tablespoons butter
2 carrots, finely chopped
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
1 small red bell pepper, diced
1 small onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups white rice
1 (8.75 ounce) can no-salt-added sweet corn, drained
1 (15 ounce) can no-salt-added sweet peas, drained
5 ½ cups chicken broth
1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
1 ½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons lemon pepper
2 teaspoons dried crushed parsley
4 pinches dried crushed thyme
1 pinch saffron
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir carrots, celery, red bell pepper, onion, and garlic until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
  • Gently stir rice, corn, and peas into vegetables to combine. Pour chicken broth, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce into rice mixture. Season with lemon pepper, parsley, thyme, saffron, salt, and black pepper, bring to a boil, and reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let pilaf stand covered until grains are separate, 10 to 15 more minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 366.2 calories, Carbohydrate 71.1 g, Cholesterol 11.4 mg, Fat 5.3 g, Fiber 4.6 g, Protein 8.3 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 379.5 mg, Sugar 3 g

Tips for Making the Best Vegetable Pilaf

  • Use high-quality ingredients. Fresh, flavorful vegetables will make all the difference in your pilaf. Look for vegetables that are in season and at their peak of ripeness.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan. When you're cooking the vegetables, make sure not to overcrowd the pan. This will prevent them from steaming instead of sautéing.
  • Cook the vegetables in batches if necessary. If you have a lot of vegetables to cook, you may need to cook them in batches. This will ensure that they are all cooked evenly.
  • Use a variety of vegetables. Don't be afraid to experiment with different vegetables in your pilaf. Some good options include carrots, celery, onions, bell peppers, and peas.
  • Add some herbs and spices. Herbs and spices can add a lot of flavor to pilaf. Some good choices include parsley, thyme, oregano, basil, and cumin.
  • Don't overcook the rice. Rice should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked rice will be mushy and unpleasant.
  • Let the pilaf rest before serving. Once the pilaf is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together.

Conclusion

Vegetable pilaf is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. It's also a great way to use up leftover vegetables. With so many different recipes to choose from, you're sure to find one that you'll love. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give vegetable pilaf a try. You won't be disappointed.

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