Black Rice Pilaf

Black rice pilaf is colorful and comforting. Presents beautifully for guests. Simple enough to make mid-week. Easily doubled for large groups. Freezes well for meal prep. Lends itself to a variety of ingredients so you can use what’s in your pantry. Locally Seasoned Chutney provides a distinctive bright finish. Serves 6 to 8.

WHAT

• 2 cups black rice
• 3 1/2 cups water, vegetable broth or chicken broth
• 2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
• 1 rib celery, chopped
• 1/4 cup nuts (see NOTES)
• 2 TBSP dried fruit (see NOTES)
• kosher salt
• black pepper
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup Locally Seasoned Chutney of your choice

HOW

1. Place rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat oven to 375° F.
2. In a saucepan, using 1 TBSP olive oil, saute onions, carrots and celery until translucent. Add rice and saute for another 2 minutes. Scrape rice and vegetables into a 9 x 13 baking dish.
3. Meanwhile, bring water(or broth), olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper just to a boil on the stove top. Pour over rice mixture. Add nuts and dried fruit. Stir to combine.
4. Cover tightly with heavy-duty foil. Bake for 1 hour.
5. Remove from oven. Do not remove foil yet. Allow to sit for 10 minutes. Then carefully remove foil and fluff. Mix in your favorite Locally Seasoned Chutney and serve. Happy Eating!

NOTES

• Use pumpkin seeds, chopped walnuts, slivered almonds, chopped pecans or chopped pistachios.
• Perfect dried fruit additions include raisins, cranberries, chopped apricots or sour cherries.
• If you can’t find black rice you can use brown rice.
• Add up to 1 additional cup of chopped roasted vegetables, shredded cooked chicken. Simply add to the sauteed vegetables with the rice.
• Allowing the rice pilaf to sit, covered, for 10 minutes helps it to cool slightly and steam away from the baking dish. It won’t stick to the pan.
• Yes, the ratio of rice to liquid is correct. Baking the rice tightly covered with foil provides a steamy environment that makes perfectly fluffy rice.

Using our simple hands-free approach to baking your pilaf, you don’t have to worry about sticky rice or sticky pots. It comes out perfect every time. Like and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @locallyseasonedyorkpa. Let us know what you think!