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Golden, fluffy rice pilaf served in a ceramic bowl
Redondo

Rice Pilaf

This warm, fluffy Rice Pilaf is the weeknight comfort dish that tastes like it took hours, but comes together in under 30 minutes—with pantry ingredients and love.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 215
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup long-grain basmati rice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley, for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons slivered almonds or raisins (optional)

Equipment

  • saucepan for simmering the rice pilaf
  • fine mesh strainer for rinsing rice

Method
 

  1. Rinse rice under cool water until water runs clear. Drain well.
  2. Heat olive oil in a saucepan. Sauté onion until translucent. Add garlic and rice, cook 2–3 minutes.
  3. Add broth, salt, cinnamon, and bay leaf. Stir once. Bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 15–18 minutes.
  4. Turn off heat and let rice rest, covered, for 10 minutes.
  5. Fluff with fork. Garnish with parsley, almonds, or raisins. Serve warm.

Notes

Let the pilaf rest after cooking. Don’t skip this—it’s the final secret to fluffy, flavorful rice.