How to Cook Nutty Rice Pilaf
Serves: 2-3
Preparation time: 5 mins + 15 mins (inactive)
Cooking time: 30 mins
Ingredients needed to make Nutty Rice Pilaf:
- 1 cup long-grained rice, preferably basmati variety
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- 1/3 cup raisins
- 1 ¼ cup water
- Hot tap water
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 3 tbsp butter, divided
Cooking instructions for Nutty Rice Pilaf:
- Warm up your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Pour water over a bowl of rice and agitate it with your hands before pouring out the water; repeat the process several times to get rid of the starch, until the water becomes clear.
- Pour hot water over the rice until it is completely immersed and let it rest for about 15 minutes to soak.
- Meanwhile, place the raisins in another small bowl and soak it in hot water at the same time.
- Pour the rice into a mesh strainer to drain out water and strain the raisins right after that.
- Add a couple of tbsp butter into an oven-proof saucepan and melt it over moderately-low heat until it foams and browns lightly.
- Dump the drained rice into the saucepan and sauté for a couple of minutes, while stirring at the same time to coat well with the butter.
- Once the rice grains turn opaque, empty the cups of water into the pan, along with a dash of salt and stir them all together until well combined; taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Bring it to a simmer and wrap the surface with a sheet of aluminum foil.
- Place a lid on tip and place it within the preheated oven.
- Cook in the oven for about 20 minutes or until the rice is cooked through and the cooking liquid is completely absorbed.
- While the rice cooks, add rest of the butter in a small skillet and melt until it browns.
- Throw in the pine nuts and stir fry until it turns golden brown.
- Transfer it to a bowl and set aside.
- Once the rice is cooked, take it out the oven and remove the lid.
- Peel off the foil and replace it with a kitchen towel.
- Let it rest for about 5 minutes and spoon it into a large serving bowl.
- Sprinkle the nuts on top, followed by the raisins and drizzle the residual browned butter over it.
- Serve right away.
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
