This Basmati Rice Pilaf with Almonds, Apricots, & Parsley is a delicious and simple side dish! The rice is light and fluffy, serving as the perfect backdrop for bright parsley, chewy yet sweet dried apricots, and crunchy toasted almonds. This recipe is perfect with grilled chicken, seared steak, or roasted pork loin.
Time For Dinner
Anyone else lacking dinner inspiration these days? Sometimes it seems as though there are so many ideas out there…it’s paralyzing try to figure out what to make. When I find myself in this predicament, here’s what I do: take whatever protein is in my refrigerator or freezer (chicken? Top sirloin? Pork tenderloin? Tofu?), prep it with a delicious marinade, and get cooking.
While that’s marinading, grilling, or roasting, I get started on a nice big salad, and raid my cupboards for the makings of a delicious side dish.
Enter: this Basmati Rice Pilaf with Almonds, Apricots, & Parsley.
Pass The Rice
This Basmati Rice Pilaf with Almonds, Apricots, & Parsley, you guys. YOU GUYS! It’s light, it’s crunchy, it’s sweet, it’s savory. So many unexpected bursts of flavor in this delish little dish.
I love making this dish as a side to go along with a big Greek spread:
- Grilled Greek chicken
- Roasted peppers and onions
- Fresh cucumber
- Creamy hummus & tzatziki
- Warm pita
MIC DROP.
Yup, my weekend plans are basically made. WHo’s coming over?
Trust my guidance and don’t you dare consider leaving the dried apricots out. It’s my favorite part! They give the dish that, “what is that?!” factor.
The Equation
The best part about this dish is you can use this same logic or “equation” based on whatever you have on hand!
No basmati rice? How about quinoa, farro, orzo, brown rice, white rice, any rice!
Out of apricots? Try cranberries, golden (or regular!) raisins, cherries, strawberries, any dried fruit!
No almonds? Walnuts, cashews, peanuts, macadamias, pine nuts, or literally any nut would be great!
Out of parsley? Cilantro, rosemary, oregano, or mint would be delicious herbs options, or else chopped spinach will still add great color (and nutrition)!
Mix and match to find your favorite combination, iterate, repeat.
Try mixing things up and adding your favorite herb or whatever nuts you have in the cupboard. Regardless, I bet you’re going to love this simple side.
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Basmati Rice Pilaf with Almonds, Apricots, & Parsley
Ingredients
- 1 cup almonds, lightly crushed (see instructions)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup uncooked basmati rice
- 1 strip Lemon zest
- 1/3 cup dried apricots, chopped
- 2 cups parsley chopped
- 1 lemon juiced
Instructions
- Add almonds to a ziplock bag. Using a meat mallet, the back of a spoon, or a glass, lightly crush almonds. They don't need to be pulverized - just break up the majority of the almonds so you get a good crunch. Add the olive oil to the bag, toss to combine.
- Turn out almonds on to a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 300 degrees for about 10 minutes, or until fragrant (not burnt!).
- Meanwhile, prepare the rice. Rinse 1 cup of basmati rice. Skipping this step will impact how the rice cooks - don't overlook! Combine rice with 1 1/2 cups of water in a medium sized saucepan. Add lemon zest. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cover. Cook for 10 minutes, or until water is absorbed and rice fluffs easily with a fork. Discard lemon zest.
- Transer rice to a large bowl. Add dried apricots, parsley, lemon juice. Drizzle with olive oil if desired, and top with salt and pepper. Toss to combine.