Homemade Rice a Roni

Like Rice a Roni but looking for a better alternative? Here's my homemade version. It takes just about the same amount of time to make and tastes better.

Serves 4

1 cup long grain rice
1/2 cup broken spaghetti or orzo pasta
3 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/3 cup slivered almonds
1/4 cup golden raisins
14 cup minced Italian Parsley
1 large shallot or small onion diced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
salt and pepper

In a medium sauce pot, melt the butter or margarine over medium heat. Add the rice and pasta. Cook stirring occasionally until the rice and the pasta are lightly browned. Add the shallot or onion and cook 2 more minutes. Add the chicken broth, almonds, raisins,thyme,salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, cover and drop the heat to medium/low or until the rice simmers. Let simmer for 15 minutes. Turn off heat and leave covered for another 5 minutes. Add the parsley and stir into the rice. Serve