Rice Pilaf with Nuts and Dried Fruit

A aromatic Rice Pilaf that’s proper at residence in your vacation feasting desk OR a Center Japanese meal! Evenly spiced with cinnamon, cumin and cardamom, fluffy seasoned rice is tossed with pistachios, almonds, dried apricots, and sultanas or raisins.

This Rice Pilaf recipe is a terrific aspect dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas with the festive spicing, dried fruit and nuts. Or strive it on the aspect of Lamb or Chicken Shawarma, Moroccan Lamb Meatballs or Turkish Koftas!

Fruit and nut studded fluffy Rice Pilaf

I’ve an enormous smooth spot for flavoured rice. Tomato Basil Rice, Garlic Butter Rice, Mexican Pink Rice, Inexperienced Coriander/Cilantro Rice. To not point out Mushroom Rice, the epic golden crispy Persian Saffron Rice I shared just some weeks in the past and all method of fried rice recipes I’ve shared over time.

Give me a flavoured rice that’s tasty sufficient to eat plain, and I’m one glad gal. Add it to the aspect of a easy piece of cooked protein, like sausages, Crispy Pan Fried Fish or Marinated Pork Chops, and also you’ve out of the blue made the dinner plate a complete lot extra fascinating.

Let’s face it – plain rice is not any comparability to an incredible Rice Pilaf!

What goes in rice pilaf

The components you want to make this rice pilaf are:

• Greatest rice for rice pilaf – basmati rice is one of the best for each flavour and fluffiness. Basmati is a kind of lengthy grain rice – the longer the grain, the fluffier the rice. It additionally has a stunning delicate perfume that basically compliments the flavours on this rice pilaf;

• Fats – I select butter for flavour, however any oil of alternative is okay right here;

• Flavour Base – sautéed garlic and onion, so as to add savouriness;

• Rice Pilaf Spices – I’ve used a mix of cinnamon, cardamom and cumin on this Rice Pilaf. It’s paying homage to Center Japanese flavours but additionally a festive mixture. Be happy to customize this to your personal style;

• Broth OR water – For additional flavour, I virtually at all times make my Rice Pilaf with vegetable or chicken broth. Nevertheless, water will work simply high-quality as properly, although I’d add an additional pinch of every of the spices;

• Nuts – I’ve used pistachios and almonds in my Rice Pilaf recipe. I am keen on each the flavour and color that pistachios deliver to this seasoned rice. Almonds and pistachios are additionally on theme for a Center.  Japanese fashion rice pilaf. For extra of a conventional Thanksgiving or Christmas theme, strive pecans plus / or almonds. Walnuts are additionally nice!

• Dried Fruit – Use something you want right here. I like utilizing apricots for a contact of color, and raisins or sultanas as a result of the flavour melds in properly with the rice. Cranberries / craisins additionally work properly however remember that they supply a sharper pop of flavour as a result of they’re tart. Goji berries would even be nice.

• Non nut choices (allergic reactions) – strive utilizing sunflower seeds and/or pepitas/pumpkin seeds. Terrific texture and flavour!

There are some Rice Pilafs which can be filled with attractive recent herb flavours, however this isn’t a kind of. It is a Rice Pilaf that celebrates the earthy, festive spice flavourings, the nuts and the candy pops from the dried fruit. So I simply add a tiny sprinkle of parsley as a garnish, simply so as to add slightly color when serving.

The best way to make Rice Pilaf

Rice pilaf is straight ahead to make. Toast the nuts to deliver out the flavour. Sauté onion and garlic in butter, then add the rice, broth, spices and fruit.

However listed here are my suggestions for easy methods to make the finest rice pilaf each time!

• Proper liquid to rice ratio – 1 3/4 cups of liquid to 1 cup of rice will yield completely cooked fluffy rice;

• Don’t peek whereas rice is cooking! Escaped warmth compromises the cooking of the rice;

• Relaxation undisturbed – that is the most vital step for cooking rice. That is when the rice finishes cooking and turns into fluffy!

• Add nuts on the finish – Whereas most Rice Pilaf recipes add the nuts into the broth, I desire not to do that as a result of it softens the nuts they usually bloat. I like preserving the feel of the nuts so I toss them in on the finish.

And on that be aware – I current to you a wonderful Rice Pilaf, made with fluffy, unwashed rice.

It’s fragrant. It’s properly seasoned. It’s suffering from plump dried fruit and toasty nuts. And also you’re going to adore it! – Johnsat x

PS Attempt the one pan Baked Chicken with Cranberry Walnut Rice Pilaf for a meal!

THIS RICE PILAF WILL GO GREAT WITH….

• Any Center Japanese predominant (private faves: Chicken Shawarma, Lamb Shawarma, Falafel, Chicken Doner Kebab plate, Persian Lamb Shanks, Moroccan Meatballs)

• Thanksgiving meal – nice festive flavours!

• Garlic Chicken Thighs or Oven Baked Chicken Breast

• Marinated Pork Chops or Lemon Garlic Pork Chops

• Pan Fried Fish with Lemon Butter Sauce or Garlic Prawns

• Garlic Butter Roasted Mushrooms (nice veg meal possibility)

WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT

Typically it helps to have a visible, so watch me make this Rice Pilaf recipe!

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Sarah Miller

Hi, I’m Sarah Millar!
I’m a food blogger who loves creating quick and easy recipes that bring big flavor without the fuss. Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated — and I’m here to share simple, fast food ideas that anyone can make at home. When I’m not in the kitchen, you’ll usually find me tasting new dishes, exploring cafés, or coming up with fresh food hacks to make everyday meals more fun.

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