Easy Rice Pilaf - from Family Christmas Online^TM

I am actually posting this recipe on a record-breaking day in July, largely because it's a great complement to another recipe I'm posting today. But also because it's a rice dish you can prepare in the microwave - which is much better than using the top of the stove when it's 95 degrees in the shade, even if your house has air conditioning.

For this recipe you'll need:

• 1 stalk of celery, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 1/2 cups rice
• 2 tablespoons parsley
• 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 "dash" of pepper
• 1/4 cup thyme
• 2 cups water

Microwave the celery and onion in 1/3 cup of melted butter.]

Add the rest of ingredients. Stir, cover with plastic and vent slightly.

Microwave at 100% power for 5 minutes.

Reduce setting to 50% power and microwave for 15 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.

Fluff with fork. As you can see in our photos, we have stirred in some mushrooms that were cooked in the microwave with a spoonful of butter.

The photo to the right shows another suggestion - combining this recipe with our Marinated Chicken recipe. Click here to see that very tasty recipe.

Hope this gives you some ideas and helps your next family gathering to be a success.

Please let us know if you have any feedback suggestions, additions, or corrections.

Happy Holidays,

Paul Race

FamilyChristmasOnline.com