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5.0 from 21 votes

Middle Eastern Rice Pilaf Recipe

This Middle Eastern rice pilaf recipe is an easy-to-make, baked dish filled with fluffy rice, dried fruit, pine nuts, and zesty zaatar spice.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Resting Time
10 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 361 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Ingredients

  • 4 large shallots
  • 1 tick cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup golden raisins
  • 1/4 cup dried cherries
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 1 tbsp Zaatar spice
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups basmati rice
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken stock or water
  • 1/4 cup parsley chopped

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 450°F.
  2. Trim and cut shallots into thin slices. Scatter on bottom of large casserole dish or Dutch oven. Break the cinnamon stick into two pieces and add to the pan. Drizzle the oil over and bake for 15 minutes.
  3. Bring the chicken stock or water to a boil in a saucepan, or heat in microwave for 3 minutes.
  4. Remove pan from oven. Add the raisins, cherries, pine nuts, zaatar, salt, pepper and rice. Carefully pour the hot chicken stock or water over, gently stirring to mix. Cover tightly with lid or foil to seal.
  5. Return to oven and bake for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand, covered for 10 minutes. Remove lid or foil, stir in chopped parsley, fluff the rice and serve immediately.

Notes

  • For leftovers, let the rice cool completely and transfer to an airtight container or sealable bag and squeeze out excess air. Freeze for up to 2 months. To thaw, let come to room temp, add a tablespoon of water, cover and steam in microwave for 2-3 minutes on high heat. Fluff with fork and enjoy.

Nutrition Information

Calories 361kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 51g (17%) Protein 7g (14%) Fat 14g (22%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Cholesterol 3mg (1%) Sodium 343mg (14%) Potassium 260mg (7%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 8g (16%) Vitamin A 422IU (8%) Vitamin C 4mg (4%) Calcium 47mg (5%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 361

% Daily Value*

Calories 361kcal 18%
Carbohydrates 51g 17%
Protein 7g 14%
Fat 14g 22%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 3mg 1%
Sodium 343mg 14%
Potassium 260mg 6%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 8g 16%
Vitamin A 422IU 8%
Vitamin C 4mg 4%
Calcium 47mg 5%
Iron 2mg 11%

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