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Irresistible Holiday Rice Pilaf: 1 Amazing Dish

Irresistible Holiday Rice Pilaf
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This flavorful and aromatic holiday rice pilaf is perfect for festive gatherings. It combines fluffy basmati rice with a blend of warming spices, crunchy almonds, and sweet dried cranberries, creating an effortlessly elegant side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups basmati rice
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup chopped onions
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup slivered almonds
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain the rice well.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until they are soft, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add the slivered almonds to the pot and cook until they are lightly toasted and fragrant.
  4. Stir in the rinsed rice, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, ground turmeric, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes, toasting the rice.
  5. Pour in the broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
  6. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
  7. Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes. This resting time helps achieve a fluffy texture for your holiday rice pilaf.
  8. Fluff the rice gently with a fork and fold in the dried cranberries.
  9. Garnish your irresistible holiday rice pilaf with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian holiday rice pilaf, use vegetable broth.
  • You can substitute dried apricots or golden raisins for the dried cranberries.
  • For extra crunch, toast the almonds separately in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes before adding them to the pot.
  • Fluff the rice with a fork, not a spoon, to keep the grains intact and airy.
  • This holiday rice pilaf can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and reheated gently with a splash of broth.

Nutrition

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