Festive Fruit Nut Rice Pilaf To Spruce Up Your Table

Festive Fruit Nut Rice Pilaf To Spruce Up Your Table

 

I am not a huge fan of rice, but since I did grow up on it, I probably know how to make it a 100 different ways. This recipe is one of my personal favorites. Light and delicately seasoned,  yet rich and bursting with flavor  it makes a delicious accompaniment to any meal. Mmmmm, the aroma will just fill up your senses . I have 2 versions: a healthy version where I use vegetable oil and  the rich version where I use butter. The light rice is perfect for a weekday meal, while the rich version is elegant enough to grace a banquet. Prepare this simple, easy to make dish for a party and you will have all your guests dreaming they are eating at an elegant Persian or Middle Eastern Restaurant.

Nuts and Bolts about the key ingredients :

 

Rice: Use Basmati rice or any long grain rice. Basmati rice is good for diabetics because it has the lowest Glycemic Index of all kinds of rice.

Onions: Should be sautéed in oil/butter till  semi crisp

Nuts : Walnuts, Pecans, Pine nuts, Cashews or Silvered Almonds work best. Sautéed in oil/butter they give the rice the nutty texture it needs.

Fruit : A combination of  dark and golden raisins work well. If you want to add a tart taste to it, add some dried cranberries as well.

Cumin powder :  A delicate spice that will add a subtle flavor to it.

 

Fruit Nut Rice Pilaf

Yield: 12 servings

Serving Size: 1/2 cup

This super easy festive rice can be made with oil ( light version) or with butter ( rich version). Nutrition facts are for light version.

Ingredients

  • Basmati Rice : 2 cups
  • Onion: I large
  • Walnuts : 1 cup
  • Raisins : 1 cup
  • Cumin powder: I tsp
  • Vegetable oil/ Butter : 1/2 cup
  • Salt : 1 tsp or to taste

Instructions

  1. Saute raw rice in oil/butter for 2 minutes.
  2. Cook raw rice with cumin powder. salt and water in the ratio of 1:2 - Rice :Water in rice cooker or stovetop till rice is just cooked.
  3. Cut Onions lengthwise and saute in oil/butter till onions turn dark and crisp.
  4. Saute nuts and fruit in oil/butter for 1-2 minutes.
  5. Add sauteed nuts, fruit and onions to cooked rice. Gentle stir in with a fork.
  6. Serve hot.
http://www.suesnutritionbuzz.com/2011/12/23/festive-fruit-nut-rice-pilaf-to-spruce-up-your-table/

 

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