Got to beat the stuff in the box 6 ways to Sunday....sounds yummy!!
But somehow it doesn't sound like "That San Francisco Treat"! LOL!
Linda C

Linda, are 'white currants' the same as golden raisins?

I love family recipes like these! Too bad my kids won't touch raisins. Or nuts. Sigh.

We make a version that calls for orzo instead of the little egg noodles, and is a bit more tame than yours. I think if I dished up rice that had raisins and nuts in it DH and DD would pass out.

Rice and Orzo
-1/2 cup orzo
-1/2 cup rice (I use converted rice)
-2 cups strong chicken broth (I mix hot water with powdered bouillon at almost double strength)
-2 tsp olive oil
-2 tsp butter
-pepper
-1 tsp onion powder
-1/2 tsp garlic powder
-a pinch of saffron
-1/2 tsp paprika

Mix the hot chicken broth with the onion and garlic powder, pepper, paprika, and saffron. I powder the saffron in a mortar and pestle because my family doesn't like to find the red threads in their food. Don't use too much or your rice will taste tinny.

Heat the oil in a skillet. Add the butter. When foaming subsides, add the orzo and stir it to coat. Toast the orzo until it is golden brown. Add the rice and stir to coat.

Pour in the seasoned chicken broth (careful, it will steam and sputter). Bring to a fast boil. Cover with a lid and turn down to low. Let cook for 20-25 minutes, until the rice and orzo are tender and the liquid is absorbed. Stir and remove from heat. Allow to rest for five minutes. Stir again, and serve.

Sometimes I stir in a bit of butter and parmesan cheese right before serving, but usually we eat it the way it is.

Less salty and way less oily than the stuff in a box. And if you like chicken and rice, you can add some sliced raw chicken right before adding the liquid and it poaches at the same time. Sometimes the chicken is a little dry though.