Imagine a side dish that's not only incredibly delicious but also guilt-free and packed with nutrition. Our Easy Lowfat Rice Pilaf is about to become your new kitchen superhero! This Middle Eastern-inspired recipe transforms humble ingredients into a mouthwatering masterpiece that will have your family begging for seconds. With just 25 minutes of total cooking time, you'll create a restaurant-quality side dish that's both wholesome and incredibly satisfying.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown rice
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 carrot, diced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Rinse the brown rice thoroughly under cold water to remove excess starch and drain well.
- Heat a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Lightly spray with cooking spray or use a small amount of vegetable broth to prevent sticking.
- Add chopped onions to the pan and sauté until they become translucent and slightly softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic and diced carrots, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Add the rinsed brown rice to the pan and stir to combine with the vegetables, toasting the rice for 1-2 minutes to enhance its nutty flavor.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine all ingredients.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 18-20 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let the rice sit, covered, for 5 minutes to allow it to steam and become fluffy.
- Fluff the rice with a fork, breaking up any clumps and mixing the vegetables throughout.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Tips
- Always rinse your brown rice thoroughly to remove excess starch and prevent clumping.
- Toast the rice before adding liquid to enhance its nutty flavor and improve overall texture.
- Use low-sodium vegetable broth to control salt content while maintaining rich flavor.
- Don't peek or stir while the rice is simmering - keep the lid on to trap steam and ensure fluffy results.
- Let the rice rest for 5 minutes after cooking to allow for perfect moisture absorption.
- For extra nutrition, experiment with adding other diced vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini.
- Fresh herbs make a huge difference - don't skip the parsley garnish!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 36g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 2g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
