Seafood Pilaf

(Deniz Mahsulleri Pilavı)

Ingredients:
3⁄4 cup long grain rice, rinsed
1 small onion, chopped
1 small carrot, peeled, grated
1⁄4 cup extra virgin olive oil or 1 tbsp butter
1 clove of garlic, chopped
~250g (about 1⁄2 lb) sea food medley (octopus, squid, mussels, shrimp, lobster, crab...)
2 tbsp pine nuts
2 tbsp currants
1 cup warm water
1⁄2 tsp cinnamon
1⁄2 tsp allspice
Salt
Pepper

Garnish:
2-3 tbsp parsley, chopped
1-2 tbsp dill, chopped
Fresh or dried mint
Zest of one lemon
1⁄4 cup walnuts, crumbled, lightly toasted

Directions:
First sauté the onions, carrots and pine nuts with oil for about 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic and when the smell of the garlic comes out, add the rice, cinnamon, allspice, salt and pepper. Sauté for 2-3 more minutes while stirring constantly. Spread the sea food ingredients over the rice and pour in the warm water and stir.

Turn the heat down to low. Cover and cook until all the water evaporates. Cover the pot with a clean kitchen towel, cover with the lid and let the Pilaf stand for about 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley, mint, dill, lemon zest and walnuts, serve.

This recipe goes well with Turkish long green bean salad :)

Makes 2 servings.