Middle Eastern Rice Pilaf with Pomegranate

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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 onion, finely chopped

  • 1 cup long-grain rice

  • 2 ¼ cups hot vegetable broth

  • 4 saffron threads

  • 1 pinch ground allspice

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted shelled pistachios

  • 1 tablespoon butter

  • 1 large pomegranate, peeled and seeded

  • salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add rice and toast until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in hot vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Add saffron and allspice; reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed, about 20 minutes.

  2. Meanwhile, toast pistachios in a skillet over medium heat until nuts start to turn golden brown and become fragrant, 5 to 10 minutes. Set aside.

  3. Stir butter into cooked rice. Remove from the heat and mix in pistachios and pomegranate seeds. Fluff with a fork and season with salt and pepper.