Rice Pilaf with Currants and Pine Nuts

Elevate your side dish game with this aromatic Rice Pilaf with Currants and Pine Nuts, a delightful blend of fragrant spices, sweet currants, and nutty pine nuts. Perfectly cooked long-grain white rice is infused with warm notes of cinnamon and allspice, then brightened with fresh parsley and a hint of garlic. The addition of plump currants adds a touch of natural sweetness, while toasted pine nuts deliver a satisfying crunch in every bite. Ready in just 35 minutes, this easy yet elegant dish pairs beautifully with roasted meats, grilled vegetables, or can be enjoyed solo as a light vegetarian meal. Ideal for weeknight dinners or holiday spreads, this pilaf is a crowd-pleaser that transforms simple ingredients into something spectacular.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoon ground allspice
• 0.5 cup currants
• 0.25 cup pine nuts
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil and unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the rice and cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes to toast the grains slightly.

Step 5

Pour in the broth and stir in the salt, cinnamon, and allspice.

Step 6

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid.

Step 7

Simmer the rice for 15 minutes, then remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5-10 minutes.

Step 8

While the rice is cooking, toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over low heat until they are golden and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Set aside.

Step 9

Fluff the cooked rice with a fork, then stir in the currants, toasted pine nuts, and chopped parsley.

Step 10

Season with ground black pepper and adjust salt if needed.

Step 11

Serve the rice pilaf warm as a side dish or on its own as a light meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(964.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1163.1

Total Fat 65.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 13.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 14.2g
Cholesterol 31mg	0%
Sodium 2949.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 138.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.5g	0%
Total Sugars 57.0g
Protein 17.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 184.1mg	0%
Iron 7.2mg	0%
Potassium 1246.7mg	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: 48.3%

Protein: 5.9%

Carbs: 45.8%