Whenever I think of Rice Pilaf I think of a bland, uninspired side dish, that’s frankly, a pretty boring starch taking up room on my plate. Rice Pilaf is touted as a healthier alternative to potatoes or cream sauce laden pastas, but let’s be honest here. Rice Pilaf is really kinda boring when it comes to side dishes. It’s not awful tasting or anything, it’s just downright dull. I much prefer a loaded baked potato piled high with butter, sour cream and melted cheddar cheese, with some bacon bits and chives on top for good measure. That’s a side that gets my mouth watering! Have you ever heard anyone ever exclaim that their favorite side is a rice pilaf? I know I never have. But if you’re trying to eat healthier, rice is probably a better option than a loaded potato…sigh. But don’t despair, I have some really good news! This rice pilaf is not the boring uninspiring side dish you are accustomed to. This healthier alternative is absolutely DELICIOUS!
Did you know that the main difference between “rice” and “rice pilaf” is the cooking technique? Rice is typically cooked in boiling water without adding any flavorings. Rice Pilaf is sautéed with aromatics before it’s cooked in broth. Many Pilafs are made with both long grain rice and pasta, such as a small grain Orzo or Vermicelli.
To make this tasty Garlic Pilaf, start by melting butter over medium heat in a saucepan.
Once butter is melted, add the rice and orzo pasta to the pan.
Cook and stir until rice and pasta are lightly toasted, about 2 minutes.
Add minced garlic to the pan and stir to combine with the rice and pasta until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add chicken broth, roasted garlic base, onion powder, salt, and dried parsley to the pan.
Increase heat to high and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Cover pan and reduce heat to lowest setting. Cook, covered for 20 minutes (no peeking) until the rice has absorbed all the liquid.
Remove lid and add grated Parmesan cheese to the pan.
Use a fork to stir in Parmesan cheese and fluff the rice to serve.
Serve hot with grilled fish or chicken. Also delicious with steaks and roasted pork tenderloin.
This recipe has totally changed my opinion about Rice Pilaf. It’s a very flavorful side that’s a healthier alternative to spuds. I love how forgiving it is. I can get it going on the stove and when it’s done cooking I can remove it from the heat and it can hang out for up to 20 minutes while I get the main dish finished. When everything is ready to go, just stir in the Parmesan cheese and fluff it with a fork to serve. It’s perfect during barbecue season; when you and the hub’s timing is off. It never fails, I’ll have everything ready to go but the steaks aren’t quite finished cooking on the grill. This rice will hang out until everything else is ready to go. Gotta love that!
Garlic Rice Pilaf
Equipment
- saucepan with tight fitting lid
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- ½ cup long grain white rice
- ½ cup Orzo pasta
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- ½ tsp roasted garlic base, can substitute with chicken or vegetable bouillon
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp Kosher salt
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese,
Instructions
- Melt butter over medium heat.
- Once butter is melted, add rice and orzo pasta to the pan.
- Cook and stir until rice and pasta are lightly toasted, about 2 minutes.
- Add minced garlic to the pan and stir to combine with the rice and pasta until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add chicken broth, roasted garlic base, onion powder, salt, and dried parsley to the pan.
- Increase heat to high and stir to combine.
- Bring mixture to a boil.
- Cover pan and reduce heat to lowest setting.
- Cook, covered for 20 minutes (no peeking) until the rice has absorbed all the liquid.
- Remove lid and use a fork to stir in Parmesan cheese and fluff rice to serve.
- Serve hot with grilled fish or chicken. Also delicious with steaks and roasted pork tenderloin.
Did You Make This?
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Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
John 6:35
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