30 Minute Golden Rice Pilaf

By Jamie Vespa

30 minute golden rice pilaf uses just a handful of basic ingredients to create an exotic, nourishing, and deeply comforting side dish.

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 shallot (minced)
• 1 small Fresno chile (seeded and minced)
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 2 tsp. ground turmeric
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 3/4 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup white Jasmine rice
• 2 cups lower-sodium vegetable broth
• 1/3 cup pomegranate arils
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil (mint, or cilantro)
• 3 Tbsp. plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
• 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp. honey

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat oil in a large sauté pan with a fitted lid over medium heat. Add shallot, chile, and garlic; cook 2 minutes, until softened. Add turmeric, cumin, salt, and pepper; cook 1 minute, until aromatic. Add rice and stir to coat. Cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant. Add vegetable broth, reduce heat and simmer, covered, until rice absorbs all liquid and becomes tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in pomegranates, almonds, and herbs.

2. 2

   Combine yogurt, lemon juice, and honey in a small bowl; stir with a whisk. Add 1 to 2 tsp. water to thin out, if desired. Drizzle yogurt mixture over rice.