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Fruity and Spiced Brown Rice Pilaf – vegetarian recipe
Stav Kogan

Fruity and Spiced Brown Rice Pilaf

This Fruity and Spiced Brown Rice Pilaf is an absolute flavor explosion that proves humble ingredients can create something truly spectacular. The magic lies in the incredible contrast between sweet, tender fruits like banana and apple, and a fragrant blend of warm spices like cu
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 serving
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml / 1.5 fl oz) neutral oil, divided
  • 1 medium -large banana, sliced ½ inch (1.25 cm) thick
  • 2 teaspoons (10 g / 0.35 oz) minced fresh ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml / 0.2 fl oz) ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml / 0.2 fl oz) ground coriander
  • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
  • 1 medium apple, peeled, cored, and cut into ½-inch (1.25 cm) dice
  • ⅓ cup (50 g / 1.76 oz) dried apricots, finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons (20 g / 0.71 oz) raisins
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) grated orange rind
  • ⅓ cup (40 g / 1.41 oz) coarsely chopped pecans or dry-roasted cashews
  • 2½ to 3 cups (approx. 450-540 g / 19 oz) cold, cooked brown rice (from 1 cup / 185 g / 6.5 oz dry rice)
  • 1 tablespoon (14 g / 0.49 oz) butter or vegan butter, cut into small pieces
  • ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • For the best texture, use cold, day-old rice. This helps the grains stay separate and prevents the dish from becoming mushy when you stir-fry it.
  • Feel free to customize! Swap the apple for a firm pear, the apricots for dates, or the pecans for walnuts or slivered almonds.
  • This dish is perfect for meal prep. Prepare everything except the banana up to 24 hours in advance. Reheat in a skillet, then gently fold in the fresh banana slices just before serving.

Method
 

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) of oil in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Gently sauté the banana slices for about 1 minute, just until they're lightly golden. Be careful not to overcook them into mush!
  2. Remove the bananas from the skillet and set them aside.
  3. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons (30 ml / 1 fl oz) of oil to the same skillet.
  4. Add the minced ginger, turmeric, cumin, coriander, and cayenne pepper.
  5. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
  6. Add the diced apple, apricots, raisins, orange rind, and chopped nuts.
  7. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring often, until the apple begins to soften.
  8. Stir in the cold cooked brown rice, breaking up any clumps with your spoon.
  9. Toss everything together well and continue to cook, stirring frequently, for about 7 minutes, or until the rice is heated through.
  10. Stir in the bits of butter and the salt until the butter has melted. Gently fold in the reserved banana slices just before serving and enjoy immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 75gProtein: 8gFat: 15g

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