I love rice pilaf. It’s the combo of rice AND orzo, those rice-size bits of pasta, enhanced with asparagus cooked just right–not hard, not soft. This is a pretty dish, too. Save some asparagus tips to garnish the top of each serving.
Rice Pilaf with Asparagus and Pine Nuts
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups brown rice cooked in vegetable stock (1/2 cup dry)
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta cooked (1/2 cup dry)
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 bunch asparagus trimmed
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon basil dried
- 1/4 cup pine nuts toasted
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Cook the rice and orzo separately, per package directions.
- Sauté the onion until soft. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 more minute.
- Cut the asparagus into 1/2-inch pieces at an angle. Add to the pan.
- Add the lemon juice, turmeric, and basil, and turn the heat down low. Let the asparagus steam for 3 minutes.
- Toast the pine nuts. Watch them – they burn easily!
- Mix the rice, orzo, and asparagus into a serving dish. Sprinkle with chopped fresh basil and pine nuts.