Sarasota's Almond Citrus Rice Pilaf

Brighten up your dinner table with Sarasota's Almond Citrus Rice Pilaf, a delightful twist on a classic rice dish that bursts with fresh, zesty flavors. This recipe combines the subtle nuttiness of toasted slivered almonds with the vibrant zest and juice of oranges and lemons, creating a harmonious balance of sweet and tangy notes. The fluffy long-grain white rice is elevated with aromatic cinnamon, sautéed onions, and a savory base of chicken or vegetable stock. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color, this pilaf is a versatile and elegant side dish perfect for pairing with grilled chicken, seafood, or roasted vegetables. With just 30 minutes from start to finish, this citrus-infused rice pilaf is proof that easy recipes can pack a gourmet punch.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 0.5 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
• 0.25 cup almonds, slivered and toasted
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.125 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well and set aside.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, heat the unsalted butter over medium heat until melted.

Step 3

Add the chopped yellow onion to the saucepan and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until softened and translucent.

Step 4

Stir in the rinsed and drained rice, cooking for 2-3 minutes while stirring frequently, until the grains are lightly toasted.

Step 5

Add the chicken or vegetable stock, orange zest, lemon zest, orange juice, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and ground cinnamon to the saucepan. Stir well to combine.

Step 6

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.

Step 7

While the rice is cooking, toast the slivered almonds in a small dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes or until golden and fragrant. Set aside.

Step 8

Once the rice is done, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes.

Step 9

Fluff the rice with a fork and gently stir in the toasted almonds and chopped parsley.

Step 10

Serve warm as a side dish to your favorite main courses, such as grilled chicken, fish, or roasted vegetables.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(394.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	681.8

Total Fat 38.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 15.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 62mg	0%
Sodium 1193.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 76.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.6g	0%
Total Sugars 7.4g
Protein 13.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 153.4mg	0%
Iron 4.3mg	0%
Potassium 551.8mg	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: 49.6%

Protein: 7.4%

Carbs: 43.0%