Savory Brown Rice and Mushroom Pilaf
This Savory Brown Rice and Mushroom Pilaf is a hearty and nourishing dish, perfect for any meal of the day. The rich flavors of sautéed onions, garlic, and fresh mushrooms meld beautifully with the nutty taste of brown rice, creating a wholesome side or main dish. Enhanced with green peas and carrots for a boost of color and nutrition, this pilaf is elegantly finished with toasted slivered almonds for a delightful crunch. This recipe is not only flexible, allowing you to substitute vegetable broth with chicken broth or water, but it also invites customization with your favorite vegetables or proteins. Ideal for meal prep, this dish can be doubled easily for larger gatherings. Enjoy it as a comforting weekday dinner or an impressive dish for entertaining guests!
N/A
Servings
200
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Vegetable broth
1 1/2 cups (or use water or chicken broth)
Long grain brown rice
3/4 cup (uncooked)
Oil or butter
1/4 cup (for sautéing)
Onions
2 medium (chopped)
Fresh garlic
1-2 tablespoons (minced, or to taste)
Carrots
2 (peeled and diced)
Fresh mushrooms
2 1/2 cups (sliced)
Frozen peas
1 cup (no preparation needed)
Eggs
2 large (beaten (can use 3 eggs))
Salt
to taste
Black pepper
to taste
Toasted slivered almonds
1/3 cup (can use more)
Soy sauce
optional (for serving)
Instructions
1
In a medium saucepan, bring the vegetable broth (or water or chicken broth) to a boil. Add the uncooked long grain brown rice, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook the rice for about 45 minutes, or until tender. Fluff with a fork and keep warm with the lid on.
2
While the rice cooks, heat the oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chopped onions and sauté for about 5 minutes until they are translucent.
3
Stir in the minced garlic and diced carrots, continuing to sauté for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
4
Add the sliced mushrooms to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms release their moisture and become slightly browned, approximately 10-12 minutes.
5
Once the mushrooms are cooked, add the frozen peas and stir for 1 minute until heated through.
6
Push the vegetable mixture to the side of the skillet and pour in the beaten eggs. Stir constantly until the eggs are cooked through, then mix them into the vegetable medley.
7
Remove the skillet from heat and gently fold the cooked brown rice and toasted slivered almonds into the mushroom and vegetable mixture, tossing until well combined.
8
Season the pilaf with salt and black pepper to taste. Optionally, serve with a drizzle of soy sauce for added flavor.
Nutrition Information
9g
Fat
26g
Carbs
7g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Brown Rice and Mushroom Pilaf?
It is a hearty and nourishing dish featuring sautéed onions, garlic, and fresh mushrooms mixed with nutty brown rice, peas, carrots, and toasted almonds.
How long does the brown rice take to cook?
The long grain brown rice needs to cook for approximately 45 minutes, or until it is tender.
Can I use something other than vegetable broth?
Yes, you can substitute vegetable broth with chicken broth or plain water.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains 200 calories.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is tagged as gluten-free.
How many eggs are required for the pilaf?
The recipe calls for 2 large beaten eggs, though you can use up to 3 eggs if preferred.
What type of mushrooms should I use?
The recipe specifies 2 1/2 cups of fresh sliced mushrooms.
Can I use butter instead of oil?
Yes, you can use 1/4 cup of either oil or butter for sautéing the vegetables.
Do I need to thaw the frozen peas before adding them?
No, you can add the frozen peas directly to the skillet and stir for 1 minute until heated through.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 9g of fat.
How much protein is in this dish?
There are 7g of protein per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 26g of carbohydrates per serving.
What type of rice is recommended?
Long grain brown rice is used in this recipe for its nutty taste and texture.
How much garlic should I use?
The recipe suggests 1-2 tablespoons of minced fresh garlic, or to taste.
Is this dish suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is ideal for meal prep and the recipe can be easily doubled for larger groups.
How do I prepare the carrots?
The carrots should be peeled and diced before being sautéed with the garlic and onions.
When should I add the toasted almonds?
The toasted slivered almonds should be gently folded into the mixture at the end, along with the cooked rice.
Can I serve this with soy sauce?
Yes, serving with a drizzle of soy sauce is an optional suggestion for added flavor.
How long should I sauté the onions?
Sauté the chopped onions for about 5 minutes until they become translucent.
What is the total number of ingredients?
The recipe consists of 13 ingredients including optional items and seasonings.
How do I cook the eggs into the pilaf?
Push the vegetables to the side of the skillet, pour in the beaten eggs, stir until cooked, and then mix them into the rest of the medley.
How long do the mushrooms need to cook?
The mushrooms should be cooked for approximately 10-12 minutes until they brown and release their moisture.
Can I use more almonds than the recipe suggests?
Yes, while the recipe calls for 1/3 cup, you can use more if you prefer extra crunch.
Is this considered a main dish or a side dish?
It is versatile and can be served as either a wholesome side or a main dish.
What provides the nutty flavor in this pilaf?
The nutty flavor comes from the combination of long grain brown rice and toasted slivered almonds.
How do I ensure the rice is fluffy?
After cooking the rice for 45 minutes, fluff it with a fork while it is still warm.
Should the rice be cooked before adding it to the skillet?
Yes, the rice should be boiled separately in broth or water until tender before being folded into the vegetable mixture.
What size onions are used?
The recipe calls for 2 medium-sized onions.
What seasonings are used?
The pilaf is seasoned with salt and black pepper to taste.
Are there any suggested vegetable additions?
While the recipe uses peas and carrots, it invites customization with any of your favorite vegetables.