Fragrant Apricot Rice

Elevate your side dish game with this Fragrant Apricot Rice, a vibrant and aromatic recipe that perfectly balances savory spices with a touch of natural sweetness. Crafted with fluffy basmati rice, tender dried apricots, and fragrant spices like cumin, cardamom, and cinnamon, this dish brings Middle Eastern-inspired flavors to your table. Toasted sliced almonds add a delightful crunch, while fresh parsley brightens every bite. Ready in just 40 minutes, this stunning rice dish is easy to prepare but impressive enough for special occasions. Perfect as a complement to grilled meats or vegetarian curries, it’s a delicious and unique way to transform simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups long-grain basmati rice
• 3 cups water
• 1 cup dried apricots
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 small yellow onion
• 1 piece cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 cup sliced almonds
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and prevents clumping during cooking.

Step 2

Chop the dried apricots into small, bite-sized pieces and set aside.

Step 3

Finely dice the yellow onion and set aside.

Step 4

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent.

Step 5

Stir in the cinnamon stick, ground cumin, ground cardamom, and salt. Sauté for 1 minute to toast the spices and release their aroma.

Step 6

Add the dried apricots and rice to the saucepan, stirring to coat the grains in the butter and spices.

Step 7

Pour in the water and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a lid, and let it simmer for 15-18 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.

Step 8

While the rice cooks, toast the sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Be careful not to burn them.

Step 9

Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the rice to sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and discard the cinnamon stick.

Step 10

Gently mix in the toasted almonds and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1351.5 grams (1351.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2097

Total Fat 44.60g	57%
Saturated Fat 15.90g	80%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 62mg	21%
Sodium 2420mg	105%
Total Carbohydrate 376.80g	137%
Dietary Fiber 19.30g	69%
Total Sugars 38.80g
Protein 39.80g	80%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 360mg	28%
Iron 11mg	62%
Potassium 1810mg	39%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 19.4%

Protein: 7.7%

Carbs: 72.9%