Spiced Basmati Rice with Fruit and Pine Nuts
Transport your taste buds to the vibrant flavors of the Middle East with this Spiced Basmati Rice with Fruit and Pine Nuts. This aromatic dish combines fluffy basmati rice with warming spices like cinnamon, cumin, and cardamom, creating a fragrant base that's perfectly balanced by the natural sweetness of dried apricots and raisins. Toasted pine nuts add a delightful crunch, while a garnish of fresh cilantro provides a refreshing finish. Sautéed onions and garlic infuse depth into every bite, making it a perfect side dish for festive feasts or a light vegetarian main. Ready in just 35 minutes, this simple yet elegant recipe is an eye-catching addition to any table, bursting with texture and bold flavor.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 3 cups water
- 1 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic clove, minced
- 0.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoons ground cumin
- 0.25 teaspoons ground cardamom
- 0.5 cups dried apricots, chopped
- 0.5 cups raisins or golden raisins
- 0.25 cups pine nuts, toasted
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and helps the rice to cook fluffier.
In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and the rinsed rice. Stir once, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed.
While the rice is cooking, melt the butter and olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat.
Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until golden and softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in the ground cinnamon, cumin, and cardamom. Cook for 30 seconds to bloom the spices, stirring constantly.
Add the chopped dried apricots and raisins to the skillet. Stir to coat them in the spice mixture, allowing them to warm through, about 1-2 minutes.
Once the rice is done cooking, fluff it gently with a fork and transfer it to the skillet with the spiced onion and fruit mixture. Carefully fold the ingredients together until evenly combined.
Season the rice with freshly ground black pepper and taste to adjust salt, if needed.
Transfer the rice to a serving dish and top with the toasted pine nuts and freshly chopped cilantro.
Serve warm as a side dish or as a light, flavorful main course.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1517 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 60.1 g | 77% | |
| Saturated Fat | 18.1 g | 90% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 62 mg | 21% | |
| Sodium | 2414 mg | 105% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 235.8 g | 86% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.5 g | 55% | |
| Total Sugars | 110.0 g | ||
| Protein | 24.5 g | 49% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 232 mg | 18% | |
| Iron | 12.6 mg | 70% | |
| Potassium | 1935 mg | 41% | |
*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.
