Friday, May 30, 2008

Baghdad Memory: Amal's Syrian Rice

Yesterday, I mentioned the raisin-and-pine nut rice recipe that my mum's friend Amal, who was from Syria, had taught her to make. I remember spending wonderful Fridays with Amal and her family; her daughter Ala was one of my best friends, and her little boy Mounir boldly took ballet with my sister and me! Sometimes we would all leave Baghdad and head into the desert for a picnic, for instance by the Tower of Samara, pictured in this post.

Some of you asked if I'd share Amal's recipe, so here it is! It's very easy.
Peel and chop 1 onion
Heat 1/4 cup of oil in a pan
Brown the onion and 1/4 cup pine nuts in the oil
Add 2 cups of long rice, and stir until the rice is shiny
Add 3 cups of water and cook over low heat until rice is tender
Add 1/2 cup raisins
Season to taste
Serves 4.

21 comments:

Unknown said...

I do not like to cooking, but tonight I am going to prepare this.

yasu said...

oh it sounds easy. i will try that. Thanks!your pic is lovely

Solange said...

sounds delicious and not too difficult, so I will try it.
Is it sunny in Paris? Here the weather is sunny now, and I am looking forward to enjoy the weekend.
enjoy yours and I will visit soon,

Solange :-)

Imelda Matt - The Despotic Queen of Shoes said...

It could be that I'm 'late to the party' but i would love to hear more about your childhood in Baghdad...when you a moment could you direct me to a couple of link?

mansuetude said...

this looks delicious--pine nuts with a bit of anise maybe in the seasoning. Maybe some Rumi on the side.

love your photo, and though i haven't commented, have peeked in on your adventures--you looked wonderful!

(not another Indiana Jones oh no )Surely Benji missed you.

Anonymous said...

miammmmm, i like this recipe. the tibetans have a silmar one, without the pine nuts, it's delicious. i think sultanas and rice were meant to be together, just likes peas and carrots! px

Mary-Laure said...

KARINA - vas a ver, es MUY facil! Despues me contas...

SOLANGE - after days of heavy rains that completely drowned my window-sill flowers, it's sunny again AT LAST in Paris!
Unfortunately, it may rain a lot this weekend...

IMELDA - you are fashionably late to the party!
Here's a link to my previous posts about my life in Iraq when I was a child:
http://mary-laure.blogspot.com/search/label/Iraq
And there will be more in the future of course!

MANSUETUDE - what a great idea, I hadn't thought of anise, a spice I love.
I guess Benjy missed me but I also missed him a lot!

/// said...

What an adorable photo! :)

Jill said...

photo, memory, recipe...all wonderful. thanks for sharing it!

artycho said...

I love your memories of childhood you always take us so far with then so few words. I will certainly try the highlight recipe.

Elizabeth said...

Thank you for posting this recipe. I plan to try it!

Anonymous said...

Tiny shadows
under children's feet.
It was all but
midday sun.

Laura in Paris said...

Lovely picture, great recipe, wonderful memories.

Joanna Goddard said...

sweet photo!

Anonymous said...

THank you for sharing childhood memories with us.

Gabbi said...

Seems simple and good! Thank you for sharing your recipe and your childhood memories. Really is a great photo.

Anonymous said...

Mary-laure si tu commences a donner les recettes de maman attention au copyright du fameux et maintenant international AWORLDINAPAN ...

ALL THE BEST said...

Oh thank you!! Can't wait to make it...sounds yummy!

mansuetude said...

i love the comment here from traveler's soul! It is beautiful.

Unknown said...

Hice la receta el domingo,salio riquisima!

Anonymous said...

A lovely little memory - I have linked to this post from something I have written about a (positive) experience in Syria. I'm collecting experiences connected with food if you want to have a look at www.discoverunearthed.wordpress.com - thanks for sharing!