This classic Rice Pilaf Recipe is a super simple rice side dish that has layers of flavor like onions, garlic, lemon, and toasted pine nuts. It makes a great rice side dish.
½cupchopped green onionwhite and dark green portions
Instructions
Rice Prep
Thoroughly rinse the extra starch from your rice. Use one of two methods: a. Place it in a fine mesh sieve/colander and run water over the rice until it starts to run clear. b. Pour the rice into a large bowl and fill with water, stir around the bowl, then drain into a colander, pour the rice back in the bowl and refill with water. Repeat until the water is clear.
Drain as much water from the rice as you can before moving on.
1 ½ cups long grain white rice
Toast Pine Nuts
Choose one of the 2 methods below for toasting pine nuts. You can do this while the rice cooks.
Place the pine nuts on a piece of foil and place in a 350℉ oven for about 5 minutes until they are nice and golden.
In a dry skillet over medium heat, let the pine nuts toast, shaking the pan often so they don't burn.
Rice Pilaf Instructions
In a heavy 3 qt. saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, melt the butter over medium low heat. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring often, until soft but not browned.
2 Tbsp. butter
Add the prepared rice, minced garlic and kosher salt. Reduce the heat to low and stirring constantly, toast the rice for 5 minutes (just until some of the grains of rice start to turn a golden color).
1 small onion, 2 garlic cloves, 1 tsp. kosher salt
Add the chicken broth, stir once and bring to a boil.
2 ½ cups chicken broth
Cover, reduce the heat to low and cook for 18 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the rice sit covered for 5 more minutes.
Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.
Add the lemon zest, lemon juice toasted pine nuts and green onions. Toss the ingredients together to combine.
¾ teaspoon fresh lemon zest, 1 Tbsp. lemon juice, ¼ cup toasted pine nuts, ½ cup chopped green onion
Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve immediately.