VEGETABLES: Please give this delicious rice pilaff a try.

APRICOT RICE PILAF:

¼ cup butter                                                                

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 cups long grain rice, washed and drained                   

spice mix:

    1 tsp. turmeric

    1/8 tsp. cardamom                                                  

    ¼ tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. salt + ¼ tsp. freshly ground pepper

3 cups water or beef or chicken stock                          

½ cup each raisins & dried apricots, chopped into ¼-inch pieces

In a large heave saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions and cook 2-3 minutes until soft but not browned. Add rice and stir to coat grains with the butter. Cook over low heat for a few minutes until rice is opaque.

Add spices, salt, pepper, raisins and apricot. Stir to mix ingredients. Add stock and bring mixture to a boil. Cover pot, reduce heat and cook rice at medium-low heat for 20-25 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed and rice is cooked.