Chef Doug Katz’s Rice Pilaf Recipe with Lamb (or Tofu) and Zucchini – Ep. 2

So let’s continue this journey and learn together how to begin to Eat Better Food Today! Here is our Simple and Delicious Rice Pilaf with Zucchini and Protein for under $25 made in under 30 minutes.

Courtesy of Chef Doug Katz at www.chefdouglaskatz.com

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Basmati Rice

• 1 1/2 Cups Water

• 1 Medium Onion

• 1 Tablespoon Turmeric

• 1 Teaspoon Chili Powder

• 1 lb Ground Lamb or Tofu or Turkey or Beef

• 2 Medium Zucchini

• 2 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• To Taste Salt, Pepper

• 1 (Optional) Small Jalapeno Pepper

• 2 (Optional) Cloves Garlic

• 2 (Optional) Fresh Twigs

• 1 (Optional) Cup Chicken Bone Broth or Vegetable Stock

• 4 (Optional) Corn Tortillas

• 1 (Optional) Head Romaine Lettuce

• 1 (Optional) Medium Lemon

Directions:

1. Start the Rice
   Combine the 1 1/2 cup of water, 1 cup of rice, a pinch of salt in a small saucepan. Bring to boil. Cover. Reduce heat to simmer. Check after 10 minutes for doneness. When done, add 2 tbsp Olive Oil and stir, Cover. Then turn heat off.

2. Cook the Lamb or Tofu
   While the rice is cooking, add lamb (or tofu) to 12” frying pan, cook, stirring & breaking up lamb (or tofu), 5-10 minutes until browned. Remove the lamb or tofu from frying pan into a small bowl.

3. Cook the Vegetables
   Dice the onion and cut the zucchini into ½” rounds in between stirring the lamb. Once the lamb or tofu is cooked and in a bowl, in the same 12″ frying pan, over medium heat, add the onion to the pan with a four-finger pinch of salt, 1tsp pepper, and cook, stirring for 5 minutes. Add the turmeric, chili powder, zucchini to the pan with ¼ cup water, cover for 10 minutes. Add Optional garlic, jalapeño. Taste, adjust if necessary, with salt and herbs (thyme).

4. Combine and Serve
   Empty bowl of lamb or tofu into the pan. Stir, heat for another minute. Serve over rice (or add rice to pan and combine) and place into the Optional lettuce cups or tortillas.

5. (Optional) Salad
   If adding a salad, cut up or tear the Romaine while the rice & zucchini & lamb rest in covered frying pan. Add dressing of choice or mix 2 tablespoons of lemon juice with 6 tablespoons of Olive Oil, and a pinch of salt. Mix, taste, adjust, then add to Romaine. Enjoy!