Pilaf with Peas and Raisins

Elevate your mealtime with this vibrant Pilaf with Peas and Raisins, a fragrant rice dish that perfectly balances savory spices and sweet pops of flavor. Made with aromatic basmati rice, infused with warm notes of cumin and cinnamon, and simmered to perfection in vegetable broth, this pilaf is a celebration of textures and tastes. Sweet golden raisins and tender green peas add a delightful contrast, while a garnish of fresh parsley (optional) brings a burst of color and freshness. Ready in just 35 minutes, this easy, one-pot recipe is a versatile side dish or a light vegetarian main course. Perfect for weeknight dinners or as a standout dish on a festive table, this pilaf pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables, grilled meats, or your favorite curries.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Basmati rice
• 2 cups Water
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 1.5 cups Vegetable broth
• 0.5 cup Frozen peas, thawed
• 0.5 cup Golden raisins
• 2 tablespoons Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Set aside to drain.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, and ground cinnamon, and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the rinsed rice to the saucepan and stir to coat the grains evenly in the spiced butter.

Step 5

Pour in the vegetable broth, then add the salt and black pepper. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Step 6

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, and let the rice simmer for 15 minutes undisturbed.

Step 7

After 15 minutes, remove the lid and quickly scatter the thawed peas and golden raisins over the rice. Do not stir. Replace the lid and let the pilaf steam for an additional 5 minutes.

Step 8

Turn off the heat and let the pilaf sit, covered, for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 9

Remove the lid and gently fluff the rice with a fork, incorporating the peas and raisins evenly.

Step 10

Transfer the pilaf to a serving dish and garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1355.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	960.6

Total Fat 29.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 15.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.1g
Cholesterol 62mg	0%
Sodium 2073.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 163.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.8g	0%
Total Sugars 68.4g
Protein 23.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 252.5mg	0%
Iron 10.1mg	0%
Potassium 1784.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 26.0%

Protein: 9.4%

Carbs: 64.6%