French Fridays with Dorie: cardamom rice pilaf

This week's French Fridays with Dorie recipe was cardamom rice pilaf. It's a rice side dish with a hint of lemon and an Indian accent. It was simple to make and delicious. We typically have our brown or white rice plain or as fried rice. My five year old thought it was too "seasoned" but my six year old loved it.

The tiny seeds inside the cardamom pods were used to season the rice, along with some lemon zest and chicken broth. I was able to turn this side dish vegan by using better than bouillon no chicken base to instead of the chicken broth. The tiny cardamom seeds were crushed in the mortar and pestle to release their citrusy freshness. Since joining French Fridays, I've used my mortar and pestle twice, which is two more times than I've used it in the past ten years. I love being able to utilize my kitchen tools!

Check out what other French Fridays with Dorie folks thought of the cardamom rice pilaf at http://www.frenchfridayswithdorie.com/

Comments

[Adriana]

I like the vegan substitution - might have to look for that specific Better than Bouillon soon.

[Jessica of My Baking Heart]

Looks great! I love when a recipe utilizes those often-forgotten tools! :)

[Cher]

I love the Better than Boullion product - I subbed veggie stock for the chicken as well and thought it worked perfectly.
Glad you all (mostly) enjoyed!

[Tricia S.]

Agreed with you on all counts. I actually went out and bought a mortar and pestle when I saw cardomom in this one because I did not have it for the glazed carrot recipe that used bruised cardomom. Nana and I were very pleasantly surprised by how such simple ingredients led to a lovely side dish. This one was a real winner and we will be making it until the $12 bottle of cardomom pods is gone :) And maybe after that.......

[Betsy]

I agree. So fun when the recipe calls for something you have, but seldom use. Reminds you why you have it in the kitchen.