Lemony Rice with Olive Oil Drizzle
Brighten up your table with this zesty and fragrant Lemony Rice with Olive Oil Drizzle, a quick and effortless dish that transforms humble grains into a vibrant centerpiece. This recipe pairs tender, fluffy long-grain white rice with the sunny tang of fresh lemon zest and juice, balanced perfectly by a silky drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Ready in just 20 minutes, it's the ideal side dish to accompany grilled fish, roasted vegetables, or a Mediterranean-inspired feast. A sprinkle of fresh parsley and a touch of black pepper add a burst of color and subtle freshness. Whether you're seeking a refreshing accompaniment or a light, citrusy main dish, this lemon-infused rice delivers a simple yet elegant boost of flavor.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (optional, chopped)
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper (optional, freshly ground)
Instructions
Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and helps prevent clumping.
In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, water, and salt. Stir gently to distribute the salt evenly.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it begins to boil, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer for 15 minutes or until the water is fully absorbed and the rice is tender.
While the rice is cooking, zest a lemon to yield about 1 tablespoon of zest, and juice it to get approximately 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
Once the rice is done, remove it from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. This allows the steam to settle and the rice to fluff up.
Uncover the rice and fluff it with a fork. Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice gently to avoid breaking the grains.
Transfer the rice to a serving dish. Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil evenly over the rice for a silky and flavorful finish.
If desired, garnish with freshly chopped parsley and a pinch of freshly ground black pepper for added freshness and flavor.
Serve immediately as a side dish or a light main course. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
515 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 28.7 g | 37% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.2 g | 21% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1198 mg | 52% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 61.0 g | 22% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.3 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.0 g | ||
| Protein | 5.7 g | 11% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 73 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 2.7 mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 141 mg | 3% | |
*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.
