Just like every guy needs a great-fitting sport coat, every cook needs a fast way to dress up rice. You can play around with this recipe: Add pine nuts and basil in place of the almonds and parsley, use basmati rice, whatever floats your boat. It’s also terrific with pork, so think of it next time you cook up Double Orange Pork Chops (page 24) or Bobby’s Special Thick-Cut Garlic Pork Chops with Bourbon Glaze (page 87).

　　

Ingredients

serves 6

　　3 tablespoons unsalted butter

　　1 medium onion, finely chopped

　　1 1/2 cups uncooked long-grain rice

　　2 cups chicken broth

　　1 1/2 teaspoons salt

　　1 cup slivered almonds, toasted

　　3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

　　1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

　　

Step 1

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook 3 to 5 minutes, or until softened. Stir in the rice and cook for 1 minute more. Stir in the chicken broth, 1 cup of water, and the salt.

　　

Step 2

Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the saucepan and simmer for 17 minutes, or until the rice is tender and all the water is absorbed. Add the almonds, parsley, and pepper, and fluff to combine.

　　[The Deen Bros. Take It Easy](http://astore.amazon.com/epistore-20/detail/0345513266) by Jamie Deen, Bobby Deen, and Melissa Clark. Copyright © 2009 Jamie Deen, Bobby Deen, and Melissa Clark. Published by Random House Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.Jamie and Bobby Deen grew up in Georgia—first in Albany and then in Savannah—and, like many Southerners, they have always considered cooking and food a big part of their lives. When their mother, Paula Deen, started a sandwich delivery business in 1989, the boys took charge of deliveries. As the business grew into The Lady restaurant, they continued to help. Then, in 1996, the trio opened The Lady & Sons Restaurant to resounding success. They haven't looked back since. They regularly appear on ABC's Good Morning America and had their own Food Network show, Road Tasted.Melissa Clark has written for The New York Times, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, and Real Simple and has collaborated on twenty-one books.