Imagine transforming ordinary vegetables into a culinary masterpiece that looks like it came straight from a gourmet restaurant's kitchen - without spending hours cooking! This Broiled Balsamic Vegetables with Lemon Parsley Rice recipe is your ticket to a quick, mouthwatering meal that will make your taste buds dance and impress even the pickiest eaters. With a perfect balance of caramelized vegetables and zesty rice, this dish proves that healthy eating can be incredibly delicious and surprisingly simple.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (bell peppers, zucchini, and red onion)
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup rice
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the broiler to high and position the oven rack about 4-6 inches from the heat source. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Wash and chop the mixed vegetables into uniform 1-inch pieces. Bell peppers should be deseeded, zucchini sliced, and red onion cut into wedges to ensure even cooking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Whisk together to create a marinade. Add chopped vegetables and toss thoroughly to coat each piece evenly.
- Season the marinated vegetables with salt and pepper. Spread them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not overcrowded to allow proper broiling.
- Place the baking sheet under the broiler and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning vegetables once halfway through to ensure even charring and caramelization.
- While vegetables are broiling, prepare the rice. In a medium saucepan, combine rice and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until water is absorbed.
- Once rice is cooked, fluff with a fork and stir in freshly chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Remove broiled vegetables from the oven. They should have slight char marks and look caramelized.
- Serve the broiled balsamic vegetables over the lemon parsley rice, drizzling any remaining pan juices over the top for extra flavor.
Tips
- Cut vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and beautiful presentation
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet - give vegetables space to caramelize, not steam
- Watch closely under the broiler to prevent burning; char marks are delicious, but blackened vegetables are not
- Use high-quality balsamic vinegar for richer, more complex flavor
- For extra depth, consider adding a pinch of dried herbs like thyme or oregano to the marinade
- Let vegetables sit in marinade for 10-15 minutes before broiling for maximum flavor absorption
- Use a fork to fluff rice, creating light, separated grains
- Fresh herbs make a huge difference - use parsley straight from the garden if possible
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
