Rice Pilaf with Peppers (Print Version)
A colorful rice dish with sautéed onions and sweet bell peppers, ideal as a side or light main.
# What You'll Need:
→ Rice
01 - 1 cup long-grain white rice (Basmati or Jasmine)
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Liquids
06 - 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Seasonings
08 - 1 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1 bay leaf
→ Garnish
12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
# How to Cook:
01 - Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear; drain well.
02 - In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
03 - Add the chopped onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened and translucent.
04 - Stir in the bell peppers and cook for another 3–4 minutes, until just tender.
05 - Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
06 - Stir in the rinsed and drained rice, coating the grains with oil and vegetables.
07 - Add the vegetable broth, salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
08 - Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15–18 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
09 - Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Discard the bay leaf.
10 - Fluff the rice with a fork, garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro, and serve warm.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The way the vegetables sweeten as they sauté transforms plain rice into something restaurant-worthy
- Leftovers reheat beautifully for the next days lunch, if there are any
02 -
- Resist the urge to lift the lid while it simmers, or the steam escape will make the rice cook unevenly
- The resting period is actually when the rice finishes becoming tender, so do not skip those 5 minutes
03 -
- For extra depth, toast the rice in the oil until it smells nutty before adding any vegetables
- Substitute chicken broth if you eat meat and want a richer flavor profile