Several weeks back I won a cookbook in a giveaway hosted by Cajun Chef Ryan. I was excited to receive the book as it was a brand new one from Emeril Lagasse called Sizzling Skillets and Other One-Pot Wonders that hit the bookstores on September 27, 2011. Chef Ryan was one of 20 bloggers chosen to participate in the One-Pot Blogger Cooking Party to celebrate the release of this cookbook.
This is my first Emeril cookbook and I am really impressed with it. I love one pot meals and this cookbook has over 130 recipes from all over the world. Interestingly, the recipes are grouped by cooking vessels which range from skillets and casseroles to slow cookers. There is even a section on woks with Asian flavors. Many has bold and hearty flavors, perfect for this time of the year.
Before we move on to the recipe, I would like to tell you a little about my first Foodbuzz friend, Chef Ryan. He has over 35 years of cooking experience with 21 in the restaurant industry and is currently developing a line of artisan spice mixes, sauces, and dressings for future marketing and mass production. He also has 9 years of experience in information technology and is a regular contributor to TechRepublic. Be sure to visit his blog, Cajun Chef Ryan, for amazing recipes and cooking tips!
One of the first recipes in the cookbook that caught my eye was Roasted Pork Chops with Jeweled Rice Pilaf. I did not make the pork chops and cooked the pilaf on the stove instead of in the oven. I used up the little homemade ghee I had left and changed some of the spices and ingredients with what I had on hand. This fragrant and tasty rice makes a lovely side dish. It can definitely stand on its own if you are not big on meat. For a simpler version, do check out my Saffron Pistachio Pilaf.
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Disclaimer: Although this cookbook was sent to me for free, I was not obligated to write this post nor did I receive any monetary compensation for this write up. What was written are my personal thoughts and view. For full disclaimer, please click here.
Enjoy…..and have a wonderful day! 😎
Cajun Chef Ryan says
November 10, 2011 at 10:36 amHello Biren,
This is one of the recipes that I did make during the blog party, but I do look forward to making soon.
Your version and the photos look so good, I am now ready to eat some lunch, you are making me so hungry! Love the slivered almonds, and the apricots, dates, and raisins! Wow!
Bon appetit!
CCR
=:~)
Biren says
November 10, 2011 at 3:48 pmThis rice dish was delicious! I will definitely make it again. My boys like it with a piece of meat but I can just eat it on its own. Thank you for hosting the giveaway! I really enjoy the cookbook. 🙂
simply.food says
November 10, 2011 at 11:05 amSuch fragrant and aromatic rice and awesome clicks. It sings moroccan to me.I had something similar whilst in morrocco.
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
November 10, 2011 at 11:17 amThis is really nice – I love the dried fruits in this rice pilaf! Is this a claypot? I love the blue color – so cute!! I visited Chef Ryan’s site. Thanks for introducing a great blogger!
Biren says
November 10, 2011 at 3:56 pmYes, Nami that is a Spanish claypot. I love claypots and have quite a few in my collection. I use them for curries, hotpots, nabes, and braised dishes. If you are interested, I have a short write-up in this post https://www.rotinrice.com/2010/03/claypot-chicken-rice/.
Abraham Chacko says
November 10, 2011 at 3:48 pmhey ur site is lovely and this rice looks mouth-watering
Biren says
November 10, 2011 at 4:05 pmThank you Abraham! Nice of you to visit and hope you will return soon. 🙂
vianney says
November 10, 2011 at 4:38 pmlovely clay pot and I love the flavors. dates, apricots and raisins. yummy!
prathibha says
November 10, 2011 at 8:50 pmvery delicious pilaf..looks super yummm
Lyn says
November 11, 2011 at 12:05 amThis looks so delicious, Biren! I love flavored rice a lot! Love those fruits and nuts that added some sweetness. 😉
Ann@Anncoo Journal says
November 11, 2011 at 3:01 amThis sounds very flavourful and delicious meal with all the dried fruits you added in it. Yummy!
Nasi Lemak Lover says
November 11, 2011 at 8:06 amThis sound healthy and good.
Cheah says
November 11, 2011 at 8:18 amThis is indeed a nutritious one-dish meal. Looks appetising!
Kitchen Belleicious says
November 11, 2011 at 8:28 amIt looks delicious with the almond topping. I love soft and crispy textures together! Amazing picture
Blackswan says
November 11, 2011 at 8:35 amWhat a nice name! I also named a dish once using Jewel, but it’s a pork patty. This rice looks tasty with the dried fruits & spices. Lovely recipe!
Melanie @ Melanie Cooks says
November 11, 2011 at 9:48 amWhat a beautiful rice pilaf! You can see how every grain of rice is separate!
Mari @ Mari's Cakes says
November 11, 2011 at 9:59 amBiren, what a wonderful jeweled rice recipe. I would love to try it this holiday season. Thanks.
elisabeth@foodandthrift says
November 11, 2011 at 10:03 amHi Biren-I have made a much similar rice like this years ago…never really knew the exact recipe, or the name, but the “jeweled” title has got me!
You really take much pride in every dish, and dessert you make. So “bedazzling” and gorgeous, not to mention how delicious your pilaf must be!
Love the presentation, and the lovely photos! Also love your new profile photo. You look so beautiful with your new hair style, and relaxed look, and smile (minus the shades)…which made you look like an “undercover detective”
Hope you can make it to the next Blogger Festival, so I could meet up with you in person. I did not expect all the generosity that Foodbuzz, and their hosts had to offer, with all the amazing foods, and gifts. A huge success!
Hugs,
Biren says
November 11, 2011 at 10:49 amThanks Elisabeth! It is always fun to dress up the dish with fine china and cutlery which will otherwise remain in the hutch. I am glad you like my new profile picture. 😀 Would love to meet up with you sometime.
wok with ray says
November 11, 2011 at 10:49 amThis is such a delicious and hearty meal. Big applause to you on simple but beautiful presentation. Have a great weekend, Biren.
~ ray ~
tigerfish says
November 11, 2011 at 2:09 pmIndeed. Every single grain and ingredient here is a jewel 🙂
Liz says
November 11, 2011 at 8:16 pmOh, this is such a lovely pilaf! The fruits and nuts have pushed this from ordinary to incredible!
Mina Joshi says
November 12, 2011 at 3:09 pmThe rice looks absolutely delicious. I will certainly make this dish soon.
Cooking gallery says
November 12, 2011 at 3:59 pmThis pilaf looks so festive, Biren! I even can smell the aroma here…:)!! I can imagine that this pilaf would also taste wonderful with chicken curry, yum…!
kitchen flavours says
November 12, 2011 at 9:00 pmCongratulations for winning the cookbook!
The plate of rice pilaf is looking so delicious! I am thinking of some dry meat curry to go with this! Yum!
Devaki @ weavethousandflavors says
November 13, 2011 at 9:29 amWhat an absolutely yummy pilaf Biren and rivals some of the best I have seen. The additon of dry fruits is wonderful 🙂
chow! Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
Balvinder says
November 13, 2011 at 1:43 pmSpotted you from Purabi’s blog. I always love one pot meal and this jeweled rice looks absolutely delicious.I can smell the fragrance at http://simpleglutenfreekitchen.blogspot.com/
Trix says
November 13, 2011 at 1:52 pmI love one pot meals as well, this looks delicious! Congrats on winning the cookbook!
Lyndsey says
November 13, 2011 at 5:18 pmBiren, your pilaf is gorgeous. Your boys like the dried fruit in it? I don’t think I could get that past my daughter. I love the clay dish it is in too. I love clay cookware and dishes too. The cookbook sounds very interesting with all the vessels that is uses to cook in…what fun! I agree with Elisabeth and have been meaning to mention how much I like your new photo, but was afraid I was way late on the boat to mention it. So good to see your eyes you’re beautiful!
Biren says
November 14, 2011 at 7:22 amMy boys eat pretty much everything I put on the table and they have no problems with dried fruits. They do, however, need some kind of meat to accompany every meal. Yes, I do like cooking with claypots. They keep the heat in and the food moist. They are also so rustic and pretty to look at. Aww…thank you so much for your compliment! You are making me blush. 🙂
anna says
November 13, 2011 at 6:53 pmPerhaps probability has its own reason why among the many prospective winners, you were chosen to receive the cookbook — I believe this is because destiny knows you’ll make good use of it. This is a great recipe. Thanks for sharing this with us. As such, we’ll come out as winners too. Keep posting!
mjskit says
November 13, 2011 at 10:53 pmWOW! This does look good! I also won one of these cookbooks, but I totally missed this recipe. After seeing your dish, I’m definitely have to make it now!
Lubna Karim says
November 15, 2011 at 5:09 amLove this fragrant rice….simple and aromatic….
Ruby says
November 17, 2011 at 2:36 amI could have sworn I left a comment about this but can’t find it – must have meant to but never did! I love the amazing flavours and colours and can imagine it would go very nicely with several different sorts of dishes, even some fish. I often throw sultanas in my rice, sometimes prunes, and am planning something similar, using apricot and pomegranate, to go with duck. Beautiful photos and I absolutely covet that bowl!
Biren says
November 17, 2011 at 7:39 amI do like flavored rice and cook it often. A duck dish would go nicely with this rice. That would be lovely for the upcoming holidays. That Polish bowl was a Christmas gift from hubby. 🙂
singapore shiok says
November 27, 2011 at 12:11 amHi Biren – lunch is a little late today and the pictures of your jewelled pilaf is making my stomach fold in hunger *owwww* This is truly beautiful – I can imagine how it would taste right now with some roasted or curried lamb, and maybe some acar on the side *aiyoh*
Mari says
December 13, 2012 at 10:33 amExquisite Rice! The photos are fantastic. Thanks Biren for this wonderful recipe. Happy Holidays 🙂
Indian recipes says
July 22, 2014 at 5:01 amWow, first your photos are awesome. second this recipe is great.
Linda says
July 22, 2014 at 12:23 pmThanks Indian Recipes! 🙂