Description
This buttery rice pilaf combines tender converted white rice with sweet dried cranberries and toasted slivered almonds for a flavorful and festive side dish. It's quick to prepare and perfect for holidays or a simple weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup converted white rice
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds
Produce
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced (reserve some tops for garnish)
Liquids and Fats
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3/4 cup chicken stock
- 3/4 cup water
Instructions
- Toast Almonds: Add the slivered almonds to a skillet over medium heat and cook until they are lightly browned and toasted, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Remove the almonds from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Rice and Onions: In the same skillet, melt the butter over low heat. Add the converted white rice and sliced green onions, and cook until the rice becomes lightly browned, stirring occasionally to toast evenly.
- Cook Rice: Pour in the water and chicken stock, then increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add Almonds and Cranberries: Stir in the toasted almonds and dried cranberries, then continue to cook for another 5 minutes or until the liquid is fully absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with reserved green onion tops, and serve the pilaf hot as a delicious side dish.
Notes
- This pilaf is perfect for holiday meals but is quick and easy enough for busy weeknights.
- To make it vegetarian, substitute chicken stock with vegetable stock.
- For a nuttier flavor, you can lightly toast the almonds in a dry pan before adding the butter and rice.
- Rinsing the rice before cooking is optional but can help reduce excess starch and keep the pilaf fluffy.
- If you prefer a less sweet pilaf, reduce the amount of dried cranberries slightly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 145 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 76 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 11 mg
