Lemon Rice Pilaf Recipe

Get ready to turn an ordinary meal into a substantial one with the exceptional “Lemon Rice Pilaf Recipe”. This aromatic, tangy rice dish adds a refreshing twist and a burst of flavour that will blow your taste buds away! A perfect companion for grilled meat or vegetables, it also holds its own as a tasty lunch. It’s just fab for summer barbeques, family get-together or an elevated weeknight dinner.

You’ll star in the kitchen (for sure, mate!) when you master this recipe. Lemon Rice Pilaf’s subtle tanginess, its robust texture, and vibrant colour make it pretty hard to resist. Your family will love you for it, and all your pals will be begging for the recipe!

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Servings: 4-6 people
• Yield: 6 cups

Now, let’s dive right into creating this masterpiece, shall we?

Ingredients & Equipment You’ll Need

• 2 cups rice
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 lemons (zested & juiced)
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt & Pepper to taste

Equipment: You’ll need a fine zester, a juicer, a large skillet with a lid and a stirrer.

The garlic lends a subtle spicy kick while the zesty lemon lights up the flavour of the rice, making it tangy, vibrant and refreshing. For any vegans out there, you can replace chicken broth with vegetable broth.

How To Make Lemon Rice Pilaf

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet, stir until the onion becomes translucent.
3. Add the rice and stir until it’s coated with oil. Cook until slightly toasted.
4. Pour in the chicken (or vegetable) broth, lemon juice and zest. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Cover the skillet and simmer for around 20 minutes until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
6. Remove from heat, fluff the rice with a fork, then serve.

Tips For The Best Results

• Make sure to fluff your rice to prevent it from sticking together.
• Rinse rice before cooking to remove any extra starch.

Storage Tips

• Store any leftover Lemon Rice Pilaf in an airtight container in the fridge, it will keep for up to five days.
• You can also freeze the Lemon Rice Pilaf for up to a month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use brown rice instead of white?

A: Absolutely! Just adjust the cooking time as per the instructions on the packaging.

Q: Can I use dried lemon zest instead of fresh?

A: You can, but the flavour may not be as bright or fresh.

Q: Can I make this dish vegan?

A: Yes, just use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Q: Can I make it ahead?

A: Definitely! It’s a great make-ahead dish that stores well.

Q: What’s the best way to reheat Lemon Rice Pilaf?

A: The best way to reheat it is in a pan on the stove with a bit of additional liquid to prevent drying out.

Nutritional Facts of Lemon Rice Pilaf

At around 221 calories per serving, this Lemon Rice Pilaf is a healthy side dish option with about 4g of protein, negligible fat, and 48g carbs per serving.

So, here we are at the end of the line. The Lemon Rice Pilaf is tangy, scrumptious with a nice ‘oomph’ factor. Serve it with some grilled chicken or veggies, and you’ve got yourself a helluva meal. So get grillin’, and happy cooking, mates!