2 T butter
4 T butter, melted
1 c rice, white, long or medium grain, uncooked
2 c chicken stock, fresh or canned
1/2 t salt
black pepper, freshly ground

2 c lentils
3/4 c rice, uncooked
2 medium onions, chopped
1/2 c olive oil
1 T salt
1/4 t cumin
1/2 t allspice (or bhar)

1 T butter
2 T olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 dried red chili, seeded and finely, minced
1/2 t cumin seeds, crushed
2 cardamom pods, seeds removed
1/2 t ginger, ground
1/2 t saffron
4 1/2 c chicken stock, warmed
2 c long-grain rice
1 cinnamon stick
1 bay leaf
1/4 c currants, dried
12 small whole dried apricots, cut in quarters
3/4 t salt (optional)
1/2 c unblanched almonds
3 T pine nuts
1/2 c pistachio nuts, unsalted shelled
black pepper, to taste
3 T fresh coriander leaves, torn

1/4 c Chinese egg noodles or thin spaghetti, broken into 1/2" pieces
3 T olive oil
2 c long-grain rice
4 c cold water
salt, to taste

1 c lentils
1 c rice
1 onion, chopped
4 T olive oil
2 t chicken bouillon
salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste
water

2 medium tomato, fresh, ripe, coarsely chopped
4 T butter
4 T butter, melted
1 t salt
1 black pepper, freshly ground
2 c beef stock, fresh or canned
1 t tomato paste
1 c rice, uncooked, long or medium grain white rice

6 T olive oil
2 lb eggplant, cut 1 inch thick
2 c yellow onion, chopped
1 c red pepper, chopped
1 t garlic, minced
2 1/2 c canned tomatoes, drained and chopped
1/4 c red wine vinegar
2 T sugar
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1/4 c pine nuts
1/2 c fresh basil, chopped

2 c Iranian rice, or other long grain white rice, soaked, drained
1/2 t saffron threads
1 pinch sugar
1 t warm water
5 T butter, melted
2 T butter, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
2 small potatoes, baking, peeled and sliced 1/16 inch thick

3/4 c thinly onions, sliced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 lb raw shrimp, shelled, deveined and diced
2 c bottled clam juice
2 c water
1/2 t black pepper, freshly ground
1 1/2 c corn. chopped, cooked or canned
1/2 c watercress or shredded spinach

6 large boiled potatoes, cut into 1" pieces
1 red onion, cut into thin rings
1 green bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin rings
2 small fresh hot chilies, cut into thin rings
2 long fresh mild chilies, seeded and cut into thin rings
1 t capers, drained
1/3 c fresh parsley, minced
2 stalks celery, trimmed and thinly sliced
Mayonnaise-Salsa Dressing
Black pepper
hot chilies