Are you tired of bland, boring rice dishes that leave you feeling unsatisfied? Get ready to transform your dinner table with this mouthwatering Clean Eating Rice Pilaf that's not just a side dish, but a nutritional powerhouse! Packed with wholesome brown rice, vibrant vegetables, and bursting with flavor, this recipe will revolutionize the way you think about healthy eating. In just 25 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-worthy meal that will have your family and friends begging for seconds!
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Healthy
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown rice
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup diced carrots
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Rinse the brown rice thoroughly under cold running water to remove any excess starch, which helps prevent clumping during cooking.
- Heat olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Add diced onions and carrots, and sauté for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables become slightly softened and the onions turn translucent.
- Add the rinsed brown rice to the pan and stir to coat the rice with the olive oil and vegetables, toasting the rice for about 1-2 minutes. This helps enhance the nutty flavor of the rice.
- Pour the vegetable broth into the pan, stirring to combine the rice, vegetables, and liquid. Ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Bring the mixture to a full boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid.
- Simmer the rice for approximately 18-20 minutes, or until the liquid is fully absorbed and the rice is tender. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to maintain consistent steam and heat.
- Once cooking is complete, remove the pan from heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes to allow the rice to steam and become fluffy.
- Fluff the rice gently with a fork before serving, ensuring the vegetables are evenly distributed throughout the pilaf.
Tips
- Always rinse your brown rice thoroughly to remove excess starch and prevent clumping.
- Toast the rice with vegetables before adding liquid to enhance its nutty flavor and depth.
- Use a tight-fitting lid during cooking to maintain consistent steam and ensure perfectly cooked rice.
- Resist the temptation to lift the lid while cooking - this helps maintain the ideal cooking environment.
- Let the rice rest for 5 minutes after cooking to achieve that perfect fluffy texture.
- For extra flavor, consider using homemade vegetable broth or adding fresh herbs like parsley or thyme.
- This pilaf is incredibly versatile - try adding protein like grilled chicken or tofu to make it a complete meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 210kcal
Carbohydrates: 43g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 3g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
