Savory Rice Pilaf with Lavender Apricots

Elevate your side dish game with this exquisite Savory Rice Pilaf with Lavender Apricots—an aromatic blend of tender basmati rice, sweet dried apricots, and subtly floral culinary lavender. This unique recipe combines the comforting warmth of sautéed onions and garlic with the delightful crunch of toasted slivered almonds, all simmered to perfection in a mixture of water and vegetable broth. The result is a fragrant, flavorful pilaf that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious. Ready in just 40 minutes, this dish makes the perfect accompaniment to roasted meats, grilled vegetables, or can be enjoyed as a light vegetarian centerpiece. Garnished with fresh parsley, this rice pilaf is a truly elegant addition to any table.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small, finely diced yellow onion
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 0.33 cup, finely chopped dried apricots
• 1 teaspoon, finely ground culinary lavender
• 0.25 cup, lightly toasted slivered almonds
• 0.5 cup vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the finely diced onion and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, careful not to let it burn.

Step 5

Add the rice to the saucepan and stir to coat each grain in the oil, allowing it to toast lightly for 2 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in the ground culinary lavender, chopped apricots, and toasted slivered almonds. Cook for 1 minute to combine the flavors.

Step 7

Pour in the water and vegetable broth, then season with salt and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 8

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.

Step 9

Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 10

Fluff the rice gently with a fork, then stir in the fresh parsley.

Step 11

Serve warm as a fragrant accompaniment to roasted meats, grilled vegetables, or on its own for a light and elegant meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(978.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	835.3

Total Fat 46.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2666.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 91.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.8g	0%
Total Sugars 17.4g
Protein 18.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 192.3mg	0%
Iron 6.5mg	0%
Potassium 1019.5mg	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: 49.0%

Protein: 8.7%

Carbs: 42.3%