Trio of Rices and Beans with Fresh Apricots

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped fresh oregano (2 bunches)
• ½ cup chopped fresh thyme (2 bunches)
• 3 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves stripped and chopped
• 4 cups dried white beans, soaked in cold water to cover 3 to 24 hours, then drained
• 7 cups vegetable broth or water
• 24 fresh apricots, pitted and cut into 4 to 6 pieces each
• 2 bunches celery, cut into small diagonal pieces
• 3 cups finely chopped fresh chervil (6 bunches)
• 2 cups sherry vinegar
• 2 tbsp minced garlic
• 3¼ cups vegetable oil
• 5 leeks (white part only), rinsed well and finely diced

Wild rice

• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 medium onions, diced
• 12 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves stripped
• 2 lbs uncooked wild rice, well rinsed
• 2 tsp salt

Basmati rice

• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 pinches saffron threads
• 6 cups uncooked basmati rice
• 1 tsp salt

Directions

Wild rice

1. In 6-quart pot, heat oil over high heat.
2. Add onions and thyme and cook, stirring often, until onions are just wilted.
3. Add wild rice, stir to coat and cook, stirring, 3 minutes.
4. Add salt and 4 quarts cold water.
5. Cover and bring to a boil.
6. Reduce heat to medium and cook until liquid has evaporated and rice begins to pop open, 35 to 40 minutes.
7. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Basmati rice

1. In 4-quart pot, heat ½ cup oil over high heat.
2. Add saffron and cook, stirring, 30 seconds.
3. Add rice and stir to coat.
4. Add salt and 2 quarts plus 1 cup cold water, stir and bring to a boil.
5. Stir in remaining ½ cup oil, reduce heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, until liquid has evaporated and rice is tender, 12 to 15 minutes.
6. Transfer to tray, spreading rice out to cool; set aside.

Beans

1. In 4-quart pot, heat ¼ cup oil over high heat.
2. Add leeks and cook, stirring often, until wilted, about 2 minutes.
3. Add garlic, oregano, thyme and rosemary and cook, stirring, 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Add beans and stir to coat, then stir in broth.
5. Cover and bring to a boil.
6. Reduce heat to low and simmer until beans are tender but not mushy, about 40 minutes.
7. Remove from heat and cool.
8. In very large bowl, combine both rices, beans, apricots, celery and chervil.
9. In medium bowl, whisk together vinegar and remaining 3 cups oil and sprinkle over rice mixture to taste.
10. Toss gently to combine and serve at room temperature.
11. Do ahead: the rices and beans can be cooked up to 4 days ahead and refrigerated separately.
12. The dish can be assembled up to 8 hours ahead.