Cranberry Orange Rice
Brighten up your table with this vibrant and flavorful Cranberry Orange Rice recipe, a delicious fusion of sweet and citrusy notes paired with the comforting fluffiness of perfectly cooked long-grain white rice. Infused with fresh orange juice and accented by the zest of an orange, this dish is sweetened naturally with chewy dried cranberries and finished with a hint of salt and olive oil for balance. Optional slivered almonds and fresh parsley add a delightful crunch and pop of color, making it an elegant side dish for holiday feasts or a refreshing accompaniment to your favorite mains. Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy, gluten-free recipe combines simplicity with gourmet flair, making it an irresistibly versatile addition to your meals.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1.5 cups water
- 0.5 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 0.5 cup dried cranberries
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 0.25 cup slivered almonds (optional, for garnish)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming sticky.
In a medium saucepan, combine water, orange juice, olive oil, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Once the liquid is boiling, stir in the rinsed rice. Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the rice has absorbed the liquid.
While the rice is cooking, zest one orange to get 1 tablespoon of orange zest, ensuring you avoid the bitter white pith. Set zest aside.
After 15 minutes, turn off the heat but leave the saucepan covered for an additional 5 minutes. This allows the rice to finish steaming.
Remove the lid and fluff the rice gently with a fork. Stir in the orange zest and dried cranberries, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the rice.
If desired, toast the slivered almonds in a small dry skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown. Use the almonds as a garnish along with fresh parsley before serving.
Serve the Cranberry Orange Rice warm as a side dish or a light, flavorful main course.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
848 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 29.3 g | 38% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5 g | 18% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1222 mg | 53% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 131.4 g | 48% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 11.3 g | 40% | |
| Total Sugars | 59.1 g | ||
| Protein | 12.9 g | 26% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 162 mg | 12% | |
| Iron | 4.9 mg | 27% | |
| Potassium | 636 mg | 14% | |
*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.
