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Mediterranean Rice with Pine Nuts and Parsley Recipe

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4.2 from 2 reviews

Mediterranean Rice is a flavorful and aromatic side dish that combines fluffy long-grain white rice with fragrant spices like cumin and turmeric, enhanced by sautéed onions and garlic, and garnished with toasted pine nuts and fresh parsley. This simple yet elegant recipe brings a taste of the Mediterranean to your table in just 30 minutes.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Rice and Spices

  • 2 cups long-grain white rice (rinsed and drained)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • 2 3/4 cups water

Aromatics

  • 2 tablespoons butter (divided)
  • 1 medium onion (diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)

Garnish

  • 1/4 cup roasted pine nuts
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)

Instructions

  1. Rinse and Drain the Rice: Start by rinsing the long-grain white rice under cold running water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming sticky during cooking. Drain the rice thoroughly.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, then sauté until the onions are translucent and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
  3. Add Rice and Spices, Then Simmer: Stir in the rinsed rice and sprinkle in the ground cumin and turmeric, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Pour in 2 3/4 cups of water and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes until the rice is tender and all the liquid is absorbed.
  4. Fluff the Rice: Remove the pot from the heat. Using a fork, gently fluff the rice to separate the grains and release steam.
  5. Toast Pine Nuts: In a separate pan, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the pine nuts and toast them, stirring frequently, until golden brown—this happens quickly, so watch carefully to avoid burning. Remove from heat once toasted.
  6. Combine and Garnish: Add the toasted pine nuts and freshly chopped parsley to the cooked rice. Stir gently to combine all the flavors before serving.

Notes

  • Rinsing the rice is crucial to prevent it from becoming gummy.
  • Use a heavy-bottomed pot to avoid burning the rice during simmering.
  • Toasting pine nuts enhances their nutty flavor but keep a close eye, as they burn quickly.
  • This dish pairs well with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or as a base for a Mediterranean bowl.
  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://avascooking.com/mediterranean-rice-with-pine-nuts-and-parsley-recipe/