Home made rice-a-roni or pilaf recipes?

[Bethany]

I'm trying not to buy the pre-made rice side dishes that are so easy to add as a side at dinner. I have a rice cooker and bulk rice is so cheap. Anyknow know how to spice up rice to make it like the box mixes? I've tried adding finely chopped brocoli and cream of chicken soup with good results. Any other standbys?

[wanderinggrandma]

1/2 c raw spaghetti-break into 1" pieces
3/4 c raw white rice
14 oz broth--chicken/beef/veggie
2 T Butter

Brown Rice & Spaghetti in butter. Add broth, bring to a simmer and cover and simmer until rice is tender--15 to 20 minutes--and liquid absorbed.

Not sure where I got this recipe---Use what ever flavor broth you like, add spices to taste or use a little soup/gravy base to perk up the flavor.

[Darlene]

These are oldies but goodie rice threads.
[ame="http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43416"]rice stir in's - Frugal Village Forums[/ame]
[ame="http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67430"]Rice Recipes... - Frugal Village Forums[/ame]
[ame="http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35782"]May I please have your tried & true rice recipes?UPDATED with more recipes - Frugal Village Forums[/ame]

[mbakken]

2 cups uncooked rice (not instant or Minute Rice)
1 cup of broken vermicelli pasta pieces (from the pasta aisle)
1/4 cup dried parsley flakes
6 Tablespoons instant chicken or beef bouillon powder/granules
2 teaspoons onion powder
1/2 teasppon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
Stir together all of the dry ingredients. Place 1 cup0 of the mix and 2 tablespoons butter or margarine in a heavy saucepan with 2-1/4 cups water. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat. Simmer for 15 minutes or until the rice is tender.

[Contrary Housewife]

I cook the rice in chicken or vegetable broth. About halfway through I throw in a handful of whatever I have on hand, finely diced celery, carrot, onion, frozen peas, dried fruit, or nuts. At the end I add some parsley flakes, chives, or green onion and then fluff the whole mixture.

I also like to mix rices, especially if they are colored. White rice and wild rice, brown rice and red rice, and so forth. Beware of different cooking times.

[dcompton]

For a dish that will look more like rice-a-roni, use orzo instead of broken spaghtti, cook it the same way. It's a small grain shaped pasta, and most grocery stores should carry it. It's often used in soups like other small pasta shapes.