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One-Pot Mediterranean Yellow Rice with Pine Nuts

Close-up of vibrant yellow mediterranean rice topped with toasted pine nuts and fresh parsley.
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Make this easy, flavorful Mediterranean Yellow Rice in one pot. It features aromatic spices like turmeric and cumin, resulting in fluffy rice perfect as a healthy grain side dish for weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  3. Add the rinsed rice, turmeric, cumin, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir constantly for 2 minutes to toast the rice and spices lightly. This step helps create fluffy rice instructions.
  4. Pour in the vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to the lowest setting.
  5. Cover the pot tightly with a lid and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
  6. Remove the pot from the heat and let it stand, covered, for another 10 minutes. This allows the rice to steam fully.
  7. Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Stir in the toasted pine nuts.
  8. Serve the aromatic rice hot, garnished with fresh parsley and lemon zest, if using. This makes a great rice for grilled chicken.

Notes

  • Rinsing the rice removes excess starch, which helps achieve a fluffier texture.
  • Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
  • For a richer flavor, substitute half the vegetable broth with chicken broth.
  • This recipe works well in a rice cooker; use the standard white rice setting after toasting the spices and rice on the stovetop.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonsprout.com/mediterranean-rice-recipe-one-pot/