Awesome Rice Pilaf
Elevate your side dish game with this "Awesome Rice Pilaf," a fragrant and colorful medley of long-grain white rice, tender vegetables, and warming spices. This one-pot wonder begins with sautéed onion, carrot, and celery for a base of savory sweetness, enhanced by the delicate crunch of frozen peas stirred in at the end. Ground turmeric and cumin lend the rice a golden hue and irresistible aroma, while a bay leaf infuses subtle earthiness as it simmers in rich chicken or vegetable broth. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of freshness, this easy rice pilaf is the perfect complement to roasted meats, grilled seafood, or hearty vegetarian mains. Ready in just 35 minutes, it's a versatile and crowd-pleasing dish you'll want to make again and again!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small (finely chopped) yellow onion
- 1 medium (peeled and diced) carrot
- 1 medium (diced) celery stalk
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 piece bay leaf
- 0.5 teaspoons ground turmeric
- 0.25 teaspoons ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
- 0.5 cups frozen peas
- 2 tablespoons (chopped) fresh parsley
Instructions
Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well and set aside.
Heat the butter and olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until melted and shimmering.
Add the finely chopped onion, diced carrot, and diced celery. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the rinsed and drained rice to the saucepan. Stir well to coat the rice in the butter and oil, toasting it lightly for 2-3 minutes.
Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, and stir in the bay leaf, ground turmeric, ground cumin, salt, and pepper.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for 15 minutes.
Without removing the lid, turn off the heat and let the rice sit for an additional 5 minutes to continue steaming.
Remove the lid and discard the bay leaf. Fluff the rice gently with a fork.
Stir in the frozen peas while the rice is still hot, allowing the heat to warm them through.
Sprinkle the chopped parsley over the rice pilaf and gently stir to combine.
Serve warm as a side dish or enjoy on its own!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
260 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 24.4 g | 31% | |
| Saturated Fat | 14.1 g | 70% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 62 mg | 21% | |
| Sodium | 1228 mg | 53% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 12.7 g | 5% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.5 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.2 g | ||
| Protein | 1.8 g | 4% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 57 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 1.3 mg | 7% | |
| Potassium | 332 mg | 7% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
