Rice Pilaf

1 Tbsp EACH vegetable oil and butter
1 cup long-grain rice
1/4 cup chopped onion (or 1 Tbsp dried minced onion)
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 cups water
1 tsp chicken base (or 1 cube)
1 tsp salt
1/4 EACH dried thyme and sweet basil

Melt together butter and vegetable oil over medium high heat. Add rice, onion (if using the dried onion add it with the water), and garlic stirring constantly until rice is golden brown.

Add remaining ingredients. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes until rice is tender.

It helps the aesthetics at this point to fluff it with a fork.

Yield: 4 servings