Mediterranean Rice with Pine Nuts and Parsley Recipe
A fragrant and flavorful Mediterranean rice dish featuring long-grain white rice cooked with aromatic spices like cumin and turmeric, sautéed onions and garlic, topped with toasted pine nuts and fresh parsley. Perfect as a side or a light meal, this recipe offers a vibrant blend of textures and Mediterranean-inspired tastes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups long-grain white rice (rinsed and drained)
- 2 tablespoons butter (divided)
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 2 3/4 cups water
- 1/4 cup roasted pine nuts
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Rinse the Rice: Rinse the long-grain white rice under cold running water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch and prevent stickiness. Drain thoroughly.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onions turn translucent and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Rice and Spices: Stir in the rinsed rice along with ground cumin and turmeric powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour in 2 3/4 cups of water and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer the Rice: Once boiling, reduce heat to low. Cover the pot with a lid and let the rice simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is fully absorbed.
- Fluff the Rice: Remove the pot from heat. Using a fork, fluff the rice gently to separate the grains and release steam.
- Toast Pine Nuts: In a separate pan, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the pine nuts and toast them, stirring frequently until they turn golden brown. Be careful not to burn them.
- Combine and Serve: Add the toasted pine nuts and freshly chopped parsley to the cooked rice. Stir gently to combine all the flavors. Serve warm.
Notes
- Rinsing rice thoroughly helps achieve fluffy, non-sticky grains.
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot to prevent burning during simmering.
- Toasting pine nuts enhances their nutty flavor but watch closely as they can burn quickly.
- Fresh parsley adds a bright, fresh finish to the dish.
- This dish pairs well with grilled meats or roasted vegetables for a complete Mediterranean meal.
Keywords: Mediterranean rice, cumin rice, turmeric rice, toasted pine nuts, parsley rice, side dish, vegetarian
