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Jeweled Persian Rice Pilaf
This gloriously flavored and fabulously beautiful Jeweled Persian Rice Pilaf makes the most superb side dish. The basmati rice is soft and fluffy and cooked in stock to give it a great depth of flavor. It is lightly spiced with cinnamon, cumin, and cardamom, then finished with cranberries, lemon, and pistachio. This makes a wonderful side for lamb and chicken. Or serve it with fish for something a little bit different. If you are new to Iranian food this is a great place to start.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 487 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
Persian
Ingredients
- 1 small onion
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ cup rice (see note 1)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- pinch ground cumin
- pinch ground cinnamon
- 2 ¼ cups broth/stock - chicken/vegetable
To finish
- ⅔ cup dried cranberries or raisins
- ¼ cup hot broth
- ½ cup pistachios - shelled
- finely chopped parsley - for garnish
- 1 lemon
Instructions
- Peel and finely chop the onion.
- place a large saucepan over medium high heat, add the oil and then saute the onion for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Add the rice and stir a minute, until the rice looks glassy.
- Add in the tomato paste, salt, black pepper, ground cardamom, turmeric, ground cumin, cinnamon, and broth,
- Cover the saucepan with a lid and bring to a simmer.
- Immediately turn the heat down to low and cook the rice for 15 minutes.
- Do not remove the lid, just remove the saucepan from the cooktop and leave it undisturbed, for 10 minutes.
- Whilst the rice is resting, soak the dried cranberries in the extra broth.
- Remove the lid to the saucepan and use a fork to fluff the rice.
- Add in the soaked cranberries and the pistachio nuts.
- Serve garnished with fresh parsley and some lemon wedges.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- You can use basmati rice or long-grain white rice for this dish.
Nutrition Information
Calories
487kcal
(24%)
Carbohydrates
82g
(27%)
Protein
9g
(18%)
Fat
15g
(23%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Sodium
857mg
(36%)
Potassium
318mg
(9%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
17g
(34%)
Vitamin A
406IU
(8%)
Vitamin C
4mg
(4%)
Calcium
42mg
(4%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 487
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 487kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 82g | 27% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 15g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Sodium | 857mg | 36% |
| Potassium | 318mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 17g | 34% |
| Vitamin A | 406IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 42mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.