Nutty Brown Rice Pilaf

Elevate your dinner table with Nutty Brown Rice Pilaf, a wholesome and aromatic recipe that brings together hearty brown rice, toasted slivered almonds, and pine nuts for a delightful crunch. Infused with warm spices like cumin and cinnamon, and balanced by the sweetness of plump raisins and a zesty hint of fresh lemon juice, this dish is a satisfying blend of flavors and textures. Perfect as a nutrient-packed side dish or a light vegetarian main course, this easy pilaf is ready in under an hour and beautifully garnished with fresh parsley. Whether for a weeknight meal or a special occasion, this Mediterranean-inspired recipe is sure to impress!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown rice
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup slivered almonds
• 0.5 cup pine nuts
• 0.5 cup raisins
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the brown rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the rice and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35-40 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed.

Step 3

While the rice is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the slivered almonds and pine nuts, and toast them for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown. Remove the nuts from the skillet and set them aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the chopped onion for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir the ground cumin, cinnamon, remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and black pepper into the onion and garlic mixture.

Step 6

Add the cooked rice to the skillet and stir to combine with the onion mixture. Cook for 2-3 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.

Step 7

Gently fold in the toasted nuts and raisins, cooking for an additional 2 minutes to warm through.

Step 8

Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the fresh parsley and lemon juice for a bright finishing touch.

Step 9

Serve the pilaf warm as a side dish or as a light main course. Garnish with additional parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1147.3 grams (1147.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2002

Total Fat 143.70g	184%
Saturated Fat 13.00g	65%
Polyunsaturated Fat 25.70g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2421mg	105%
Total Carbohydrate 163.10g	59%
Dietary Fiber 27.40g	98%
Total Sugars 65.50g
Protein 48.10g	96%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 487mg	37%
Iron 14mg	78%
Potassium 2410mg	51%

*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: 60.5%

Protein: 9.0%

Carbs: 30.5%