Name: Mediterranean Yellow Rice with Toasted Pine Nuts Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 2 Tbsp. olive oil; ½ sweet onion, finely diced; 3 cloves garlic, finely minced; ¾ tsp. turmeric; ¼ tsp. cumin; ¼ tsp. paprika; 1 ¼ tsp. salt; 2 ¼ cups water; 1 ½ cups basmati rice, rinsed; 2 Tbsp. cilantro, finely chopped; 2 Tbsp. flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped; ¼ cup pine nuts, toasted

Ingredients

Base Ingredients

2 Tbsp. olive oil
½ sweet onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
¾ tsp. turmeric
¼ tsp. cumin
¼ tsp. paprika
1 ¼ tsp. salt
2 ¼ cups water
1 ½ cups basmati rice, rinsed

Finishing Ingredients

2 Tbsp. cilantro, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
¼ cup pine nuts, toasted

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Instructions

Sauté Aromatics: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium-sized pot over medium heat. Add the finely diced half sweet onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent. Then add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute to release its aroma.
Add Spices: Stir in ¾ teaspoon turmeric, ¼ teaspoon cumin, ¼ teaspoon paprika, and 1 ¼ teaspoon salt. Toast the spices with the aromatics for about one minute until fragrant, which helps deepen their flavor.
Add Water and Rice: Pour in 2 ¼ cups water while scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any stuck bits. Add 1 ½ cups rinsed basmati rice and stir well to combine all ingredients.
Simmer the Rice: Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pot with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Let the rice simmer gently for 20 minutes or until all the water is absorbed and the rice is tender and fluffy.
Finish and Serve: Remove the pot from heat. Gently fold in 2 tablespoons each of finely chopped cilantro and flat-leaf parsley along with ¼ cup toasted pine nuts. Serve immediately alongside Mediterranean dishes like lamb koftas, Greek chicken kabobs, or tzatziki sauce.

Notes

Rinsing the basmati rice before cooking helps prevent the grains from sticking together, resulting in fluffy rice.
To toast pine nuts, gently heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat, shaking frequently, until golden and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
Adjust the amount of salt to your preference, especially if serving with salty sides like tzatziki.
For extra flavor, you can cook the rice in low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth instead of water.
This rice pairs exceptionally well with grilled meats and creamy dips common in Mediterranean cuisine.

Author: Maya
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Diet: Vegetarian