Toast 1/2 cup broken spaghetti in a saucepan with butter, 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup chopped onion and cook 1 minute. Add 1 cup basmati rice and a pinch each of allspice and salt; cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Add 2 cups chicken broth; cover and simmer, 15 minutes. Cook 1/2 cup each sliced almonds and dates in butter, then stir into the rice. Season with salt and top with chopped parsley.

Photograph by Antonis Achilleos

SERVES 4; Calories: 284; Total Fat 9 grams; Saturated Fat: 2 grams; Protein: 7 grams; Total carbohydrates: 46 grams; Sugar: 16 grams; Fiber 4 grams; Cholesterol: 8 milligrams; Sodium: 685 milligrams