Best 6 Basmati Rice Pilaf With Apples Squash And Cranberries Recipes

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Journey to a realm of flavors with this delightful Basmati Rice Pilaf, an extraordinary dish that blends the sweet and savory in perfect harmony. Embark on a culinary adventure as we explore a trio of unique recipes, each offering a distinct twist on this classic pilaf.

The first recipe, Basmati Rice Pilaf with Apples, Squash, and Cranberries, captures the essence of autumn with its vibrant colors and warm aromas. Tender basmati rice is sautéed with aromatic spices, then simmered in a flavorful broth infused with the natural sweetness of apples, butternut squash, and dried cranberries. The result is a pilaf that bursts with autumnal flavors, offering a delightful balance of sweet and savory in every bite.

Next, the Basmati Rice Pilaf with Roasted Vegetables and Pine Nuts takes a Mediterranean-inspired approach, featuring an array of roasted vegetables and the nutty crunch of pine nuts. Roasted bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant add a vibrant medley of colors and flavors, while pine nuts lend a subtle nutty flavor and a satisfying textural contrast.

Last but not least, the Basmati Rice Pilaf with Chicken and Apricots offers a hearty and protein-packed variation. Succulent chicken pieces are browned and combined with aromatic basmati rice, sautéed onions, and a blend of spices. Dried apricots add a touch of sweetness and a chewy texture, creating a pilaf that is both satisfying and flavorful.

These three distinct recipes showcase the versatility of basmati rice pilaf, offering a range of flavors and textures that cater to diverse culinary preferences. Whether you're seeking a vegetarian delight, a Mediterranean-inspired feast, or a hearty chicken and rice dish, this article has a recipe that will tantalize your taste buds. So, let's dive into the world of basmati rice pilaf and discover the culinary treasures that await.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

BASMATI RICE PILAF



Basmati Rice Pilaf image

This is a best-self version of a classic recipe with plenty of flavor and zero complicating factors. It's a versatile side dish that I hope you'll build into your repertoire.

Provided by Carolyn Gratzer Cope

Categories     Sides

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter
1 medium yellow onion, diced small
6 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup (180 grams) basmati rice
2 1/2 cups (590 ml) chicken or vegetable stock (see note 1)
Fine sea salt and freshly ground pepper (see instructions)
Minced chives
Chopped almonds

Steps:

  • In a wide pan with a lid (like this one, this one, or this one), melt butter over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent and just starting to brown, about five minutes. While onion cooks, rinse rice in a fine-mesh sieve until the water runs clear and shake out any excess water.
  • Add garlic to pan and cook, stirring, until very fragrant, about a minute. Add rice and stir to coat with butter, then cook, stirring once or twice, for two minutes. Pour in stock and give it all a good stir. Bring to a boil over high heat. Then cover pan, lower heat to maintain a gentle simmer, and cook until broth is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Off the heat, place a clean kitchen towel between the pan and the lid to absorb excess steam and let pilaf rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with chives and almonds if using and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 176 calories, Carbohydrate 26.4 grams carbohydrates, Fat 6.4 grams fat, Fiber 1.4 grams fiber, Protein 3.3 grams protein

BASMATI RICE PILAF



Basmati Rice Pilaf image

Serve this fluffy, flavorful rice with our Tandoori-Style Chicken.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains     Rice Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 4

2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 small yellow onion, minced
1 1/2 cups basmati rice, rinsed and drained
Coarse salt and ground pepper

Steps:

  • In a medium pot, heat oil over medium. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, 5 minutes. Add rice; cook, stirring, until rice is translucent at edges, 2 minutes.
  • Add 2 1/2 cups water and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over high; cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 280 g, Fat 3 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 5 g

BASMATI RICE PILAF WITH APPLES, SQUASH AND CRANBERRIES



Basmati Rice Pilaf With Apples, Squash and Cranberries image

A yummy side dish with lots of good flavors! This makes a great holiday dish or makes anyday special! This recipe is from Washington Post columnist Stephanie Witt Sedgwick.

Provided by Sharon123

Categories     Rice

Time 45m

Yield 6-8

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion (preferably a sweet variety such as Maui, Wall Walla or Vidalia, cut into small dice, about 1/2 cup)
4 ounces butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/4- to 1/2-inch cubes (1 cup)
1 medium granny smith apple, peeled, cored, cut into 1/4- 1/2 inch cubes
1/3 cup dried sweetened cranberries, coarsely chopped
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups uncooked basmati rice, rinsed according to package directions
2 1/2 cups about vegetable broth (or water or chicken broth)

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring, then add the squash, apple, cranberries and salt; stir to combine, and cook for 2 minutes.
  • Add the rice, stirring to coat evenly; then add the broth or water. Allow the liquid to come just to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Cover and reduce the heat so the liquid is barely bubbling at the edges; cook for 5 to 10 minutes, until the rice is tender and all of the broth or water has been absorbed; use a fork to stir once halfway through cooking.
  • Turn off the heat; let the finished rice sit, covered, for 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Uncover, fluff with a fork and serve. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 240.5, Fat 3.8, SaturatedFat 0.6, Sodium 53.5, Carbohydrate 48.7, Fiber 3.3, Sugar 8.8, Protein 4.1

ALMOND CRANBERRY RICE PILAF



Almond Cranberry Rice Pilaf image

Provided by Valerie Bertinelli

Categories     side-dish

Time 45m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup sliced almonds with skins
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups basmati rice or other long-grain white rice
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 cup chicken broth
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

  • Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the almonds and cook, stirring constantly, until golden and nutty smelling, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and reserve.
  • Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in the saucepan and add the onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the rice and cranberries and cook, stirring, until well coated, about 1 minute. Add the chicken broth, 1 1/2 cups water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste, and increase the heat to medium-high. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook until all the liquid has been absorbed, about 18 minutes. Take off the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Stir in half of the reserved almonds and the parsley, and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with the remaining toasted almonds.

CURRIED BASMATI RICE AND APPLE PILAF



Curried Basmati Rice and Apple Pilaf image

Categories     Fruit     Rice     Side     Sauté     Vegetarian     Apple     Almond     Curry     Fall     Healthy     Vegan     Simmer     Bon Appétit     Pescatarian     Dairy Free     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup basmati rice*
1 Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apple, peeled, cored, chopped
1/4 cup chopped dried apricots
1 cinnamon stick
1 tablespoon chopped peeled fresh ginger
1 1/4 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups water
2 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted
*Available at Indian markets and some supermarkets nationwide.

Steps:

  • Heat oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until golden, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and stir 30 seconds. Stir in rice, apple, apricots, cinnamon stick, ginger, curry powder and salt. Add 2 cups water and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook until rice is tender and water is absorbed, about 18 minutes. Remove from heat. Season to taste with pepper and additional salt, if desired. Transfer pilaf to bowl. Sprinkle with almonds and serve.

CRANBERRY AND ALMOND RICE PILAF



Cranberry and Almond Rice Pilaf image

I've been making this dish for years - it's different from typical rice pilaf dishes in that the cranberries add the sweetness and the tartness that you don't expect in a savory dish. Oh, and it's super hard to fumble.

Provided by BOGINIA2

Categories     Side Dish     Rice Side Dish Recipes     Pilaf

Time 45m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 tablespoon olive oil
¾ cup chopped onions
½ cup dried cranberries
1 ½ cups uncooked jasmine rice
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
ground black pepper to taste
2 green onions, chopped
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
¼ cup slivered almonds

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook and stir onion in hot oil until tender and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir cranberries and jasmine rice into onion until rice is coated with oil and rice is lightly toasted, about 5 minutes more.
  • Pour chicken broth into skillet and season with kosher salt and black pepper.
  • Bring rice mixture to a boil over high heat, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 22 minutes.
  • Remove skillet from heat; stir green onions, cilantro, and almonds into rice mixture. Adjust seasoning if necessary.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 212.6 calories, Carbohydrate 39.4 g, Cholesterol 1.5 mg, Fat 3.9 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 5.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 285.2 mg, Sugar 6.1 g

Tips:

  • Choose the right type of rice: Basmati rice is a long-grain rice that is commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine.
  • Rinse the rice before cooking: This will remove any excess starch and help to prevent the rice from sticking together.
  • Use a heavy-bottomed pot: This will help to distribute the heat evenly and prevent the rice from burning.
  • Sauté the aromatics: Sautéing the onions, garlic, and spices in butter or oil will help to release their flavor and infuse it into the rice.
  • Add the rice and liquid: Once the aromatics are softened, add the rice and liquid to the pot. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat and simmer: Once the rice is boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and all of the liquid has been absorbed.
  • Fluff the rice: Once the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork to separate the grains.

Conclusion:

Basmati rice pilaf is a versatile dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. It is a great way to use up leftover rice, and it can be easily customized to your liking. With its nutty flavor and fluffy texture, basmati rice pilaf is a delicious and satisfying dish that is sure to please everyone at the table.

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