Welcome Wagon's Lemon Rice Pilaf

Ingredients

• 1 cup onion, minced
• 1/4 cup butter, unsalted
• 2 cups long grain rice
• 2 3/4 cups chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 6 sprigs fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 bay leaf
• salt, to taste
• white pepper, to taste
• lemon rind, to garnish (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. 2

   In a flameproof casserole, cook minced onion with the unsalted butter over low heat, stirring for 5 minutes or until soft.

3. 3

   Add the rice, stir to coat with butter. Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, parsley stems, thyme, bay leaf, and salt and pepper.

4. 4

   Stir and bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F. until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, about an hour.

5. 5

   Discard bay leaf and parsley stems; fluff with fork.

6. 6

   Garnish with blanched julienne lemon rind heaped in center of dish.