Recipe: Greek Rice Dishes

MEDITERRANEAN RICE SALAD
4 c. water
2 tbsp. butter
1 chicken flavor bouillon cube
1/2 tsp. turmeric
Salt
2 c. regular long grain rice
1/4 c. salad oil
1 med. onion, diced
2 med. red peppers, diced
3 med. green peppers, cut into
bite-sized pieces
1/2 lb. mushrooms, sliced
2 tbsp. lemon juice
About 2 hours before serving: In a 4 quart saucepan over high heat, heat water, butter, bouillon, turmeric and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil; add rice. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 20 minutes or until rice is tender and all liquid is absorbed. Place rice in a large bowl. Meanwhile, in a 10 inch skillet over medium heat, in hot salad oil, cook onion until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in red and green peppers, mushrooms and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook until vegetables are tender. Spoon pepper mixture into bowl with rice. Add lemon juice. Mix gently with rubber spatula.

MID - EAST RICE PILAF
1/2 c. each chopped green and red bell pepper
1/3 c. minced green onion
1/4 c. pine nuts or slivered almonds
1 to 2 tbsp. olive or vegetable oil
1 1/2 c. cooked brown rice
1 c. cooked lentils
2 tbsp. each grated lemon peel, dried basil and minced fresh mint
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1/8 tsp. ground cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
In a large skillet, saute peppers, onion and nuts in oil for 5 minutes. Stir in rice, lentils, lemon juice, peel and seasonings until well combined. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, just until heated through. Makes 4 to 5 servings.

LEMON RICE WITH SPINACH AND RED PEPPER
1/3 c. chopped onion
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 c. long grain rice
1/2 tsp. salt
2 1/2 c. water
1 c. chopped spinach
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 red pepper, chopped (about 1/2 c.)
In a medium saucepan, saute onion in olive oil until soft. Mix in the rice and salt. Add water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low or off and cover saucepan. Cook another 15 minutes. Stir spinach and lemon juice into rice. Cook for 10 minutes more or until liquid is completely absorbed. Mix in red pepper and serve. 8 (1/2 cup) servings. 100 calories per serving. 2 sat-fat calories per serving.

GREEK HOT RICE SALAD
3 tbsp. hot cooked brown rice
1 tsp. chopped onion
1/2 tsp. chopped parsley
5 olive slices
1/2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. lemon juice
Pinches of salt, pepper and oregano
Stir all ingredients together and eat! Makes one serving.