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Easy Rice Pilaf Recipe

Fragrant rice pilaf is classic side dish that’s very easy to make and packs wonderful flavors. This recipe turns out perfect every time! Plain steamed rice is no comparison to fragrant rice pilaf!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Resting Time
10 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 332 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American , Middle Eastern

Ingredients

  • 1 cup basmati rice long grain rice
  • ⅓ cup vermicelli or orzo
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 ⅔ cup chicken stock
  • ⅓ cup butter
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • Salt & ground pepper to taste
Garnish:
  • 2 teaspoon parsley

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Pour chicken stock into a large pot. Add butter garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and ground pepper to taste to the stock.
  2. Heat the stock until it comes to a boil.
  3. Meanwhile in another pan heat olive oil.
  4. Sauté vermicelli (or orzo if using it) until it is roasted to deep golden brown on low heat, about 3 to 4 minutes. Keep stirring constantly as vermicelli will begin to burn fast.
  5. Add long grain rice (if you choose to rinse rice, feel free to rinse first) to the pan and continue to sauté until rice is toasted and aromatic about 5 to 6 minutes.
  6. Once the stock begins to boil, remove from the heat and pour it carefully over the rice and vermicelli mix.
  7. Stir well.
  8. Cover the pan with a lid and let it cook on medium-low heat for about 15 minutes.
  9. Note: do not open the lid or stir the rice while it’s cooking. Leave the pan alone. Escaped heat/steam will tend to compromise on cooking rice perfectly.
  10. Once the rice is cooked and all liquids are evaporated, turn off the heat. Rest rice undisturbed for 5 minutes covered. Resting rice is a crucial step, this is when rice will finish its cooking.
  11. Open the lid, and gently fluff the rice using a silicone spatula or fork.
  12. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Notes

  • Best rice - long grain basmati rice is ideal for pilaf recipes because it’s fragrant and suits well with the flavors used in pilaf. If you can’t find long-grain basmati rice, use long-grain jasmine rice. Any long-grain rice or medium-grain rice can be used.
  • Short grain and sushi rice can also be used but it will result in sticky pilaf.
  • Flavors -you can use garlic powder and onion powder or use fresh minced garlic and fine-diced yellow onion in the recipe.
  • If using fresh onion and garlic, sauté first in olive oil until fragrant then add vermicelli and rice to sauté in it.
  • Extras
  •  
  • Nutritional Info – Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided is only a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.
  • Vegetables - vegetables can be included in rice pilaf recipe. Vegetables like finely chopped mushrooms, fine-diced carrots, and diced celery are best.
  • Meat - use ground beef along with onion and garlic, sauté with onion and garlic in olive oil until browned, then cook the rice and vermicelli in it.
  • Nuts - Middle Eastern-style pilaf usually has nuts like sliced almonds and pistachios. You can throw in some sliced almonds and sliced pistachios. This rice pilaf is a great side dish on the Christmas and Thanksgiving dinner table. To make it Christmas special, add almonds and pecans to suit the theme.
  • Dry fruits – to give it an authentic Middle Eastern flavor, try adding sultanas or golden yellow raisins. You can also add dried apricots or dried cranberries for color and a sharper pop of flavor to the pilaf.
  • Seeds – if allergic to nuts, swap nuts with seeds like sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. Seeds not only are nutritious but add great texture and flavor to pilaf!

Nutrition Information

Calories 332kcal (17%) Carbohydrates 40g (13%) Protein 6g (12%) Fat 16g (25%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 7g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 30mg (10%) Sodium 268mg (11%) Potassium 161mg (5%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 362IU (7%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 18mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 332

% Daily Value*

Calories 332kcal 17%
Carbohydrates 40g 13%
Protein 6g 12%
Fat 16g 25%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 7g 35%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 30mg 10%
Sodium 268mg 11%
Potassium 161mg 3%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 362IU 7%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 18mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.