Adventures With Rice: Feta and Herb Orzo Pilaf

You didn't think I'd let the blog go thiiiiiiis long and not come back with another rice post, did you??? I hope not! If you haven't figured it out yet - I'm a big fan of rice. :)

The rice in this post is based off this recipe, but I modified it quite a bit. It's one of my favorite rice recipes and I really don't make it enough!

Here's how to make this super easy, but amazingly tasty rice pilaf!

The Goods:

Butter (Not Pictured)

Green Onions

Garlic

Long Grain White Rice

Orzo

Chicken Broth

Salt and Pepper

Fresh Herbs (Basil, Parsley, etc.)

Feta

Melt the butter

Add the sliced green onions

And the garlic!

Sauté a couple of minutes.

Add the orzo and sauté 2 minutes.

Add the rice and sauté 2 more minutes. 

Pour in the chicken broth.

And add the salt and pepper!

Pour it all into a covered casserole dish.

Bake at 350 for about 35 minutes.

Let the rice sit for about 10 minutes

Add the feta!!!

And the herbs.

And give it one last stir to combine everything.

Now enjoy!!!

Hello New Flowers!!!

I'm sorry that I haven't posted in awhile. I know I've been neglecting my blog and I apologize. This isn't the ONLY thing I've been neglecting though...I've been neglecting my wonderful garden as well! And oh did it punish me! Not one, not two, but multiple things were not happy with my neglection and ended up dying. Oppsies!! I couldn't stand the emptiness, so I replaced them with some new flowers that I think will handle the heat and sun MUCH better!

Take a look at all the new goodies I got for my garden.

And now a little bit on the old favorites...

The lime tree is doing AMAZING! I have tons of little baby limes that aren't so little anymore, but still aren't ready to be eaten. Soon - but not soon enough!

The poor tomato plant really suffered from my neglect. I got the last few tomatoes off of it, but now I think it may be done for the season. We shall see...

And the herbs are doing FANTASTIC! I lost the dill - again - but this time I'm not replacing it because I've resolved that I just can't grow dill. The other herbs on the other hand, they are growing like crazy!!!

Lastly, the newest - and coolest - addition to my garden is this awesome bird feeder that I got from an amazing friend. I love it and I can't wait to see the birds come and use it!!!

Adventures With Rice: Garlic Rice Pilaf

Another rice posting. YAYYYYYY! This one is about a very delicious Garlic Rice Pilaf! I know you're all as excited as I am, so I won't say much and get right to showing you how to make this super tasty recipe that is amazingly simple and easy to make!

The Goods:

Long Grain White Rice

Chicken Broth - Divided

Garlic - Minced

Butter

Salt

Pepper

Fresh Lemon Juice

Melt the butter over medium-high heat...

Until it looks a little like this!

Add the garlic and rice and toast a few minutes.

Pour in 1 Cup of Chicken Broth

Stir to combine...

And bring to a boil!

Then transfer to a covered casserole dish.

Put into Preheated oven and bake fore 20 minutes.

After that time - it will look like this, but it's not done yet!

Add the rest of the Chicken Broth and stir to combine.

Bake another 30 minutes or until rice is fluffy and tender.

And it should look like this!

Squeeze juice from one lemon over the top and serve.

This makes so much rice, so I end up eating it for a few days with other leftovers and in salads.

Limes, Limes, Limes & Tomatoes Too!!!

As I recently mentioned, my lime tree really started showing me love and there are TONS of little baby limes growing. At last count, it was over 30, but I'm sure there are even more at this point. I am really happy and can't wait for them to become big enough to enjoy! Maybe I'll even have enough to make a key lime pie!!!

Just as exciting as the lime tree, is the cherry tomato plant. After the first tomato turned red, the next one came shortly after and now they just keep coming. I love coming home from work and picking one right off the vine to enjoy instantly. So so so amazing!

The herbs are doing ... alright. Some are doing amazing and growing like crazy, but I just wish the dill would become a little more stable and hearty. The parsley is kinda struggling too, but I think that's because I use it so often.  Hopefully they too will soon start to love the wonderful weather we're having this Summer in Southern California!

Chives, Lemon Thyme, Rosemary, Sage and Dill

Basil and Parsley

Lastly - the miniature roes bush that I THOUGHT was dead and was this close to getting rid or started blooming again. Now, it not only has this one bloom - but it currently has two wonderful yellow roses growing. And I'm hoping for more soon!!