Christmas Rice Pilaf
This vegan Christmas rice pilaf is vibrant and festive with fresh herbs, coriander, and cumin to complement any holiday meal.
Ingredients
- 2 tsp minced ginger
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil or unsalted butter
- ¼ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp fresh lemon zest
- 1 ¼ cups basmati rice
- 2 cups reduced sodium vegetable stock see Notes
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp fresh cracked black pepper
- ½ cup pomegranate seeds
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- ¼ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- ½ tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
- ¼ cup pine nuts or slivered almonds
rice cooker optional
Instructions
- In a small sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander, and lemon zest all at once. Toast 1-2 minutes until fragrant and golden. Transfer to medium pot, saucepan, or rice cooker.
- Stir in rice, stock, kosher salt, and pepper. Cover and cook according to rice package directions (if cooking stovetop) or rice cooker instructions (if using a cooker).
- While rice is cooking, toast the pine nuts until golden in a small skillet over high heat.
- Fluff rice with a fork, taste for seasoning, and let stand 5 minutes. Toss in the pomegranate seeds, chopped herbs, and toasted pine nuts.
Notes
If using a rice cooker, less stock may be needed. I only need 1-3/4 cups in my cooker. See the instructions specific to your cooker for best guidance.
This pilaf recipe yields 6 respectable servings as part of a holiday meal with multiple other side dishes; however, I would consider this as 4 servings for a simpler meal year-round. This recipe can also be easily doubled for more servings.
Nutrition
Calories: 238kcal (12%) | Carbohydrates: 40g (13%) | Protein: 5g (10%) | Fat: 7g (11%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 338mg (15%) | Potassium: 244mg (7%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 3g (3%)
Calorie count is purely an estimate calculated using an online application to serve as a guide and not to be taken as accurate nutritional information. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below and let me know!