Green pilaf

Discover a delightful Green Pilaf recipe featuring aromatic basmati rice, fresh leeks, and a vibrant blend of watercress, parsley, and spearmint. Infused with ground nutmeg and simmered in rich vegetable broth, this dish offers a deliciously herby twist on traditional pilaf. Perfect as a light, flavorful side or a satisfying main course!

  • 17 Mar 2025
  • Cook time 20 min
  • Prep time 15 min
  • 4 Servings
  • 8 Ingredients

Green pilaf

Green pilaf is a delightful and nutritious dish that combines fragrant basmati rice with the fresh flavors of leeks, watercress, parsley, and spearmint. This recipe leverages a combination of olive oil and vegetable broth to infuse the rice with rich, savory tastes, while a hint of ground nutmeg adds warming, aromatic notes. Perfect as a side dish or a light main course, green pilaf is both easy to prepare and impressive to serve.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup basmati rice
100g
2 tbsp olive oil
27g
2 leeks
360g
1 tsp ground nutmeg
5g
3 cups vegetable broth
690g
1/2 cup watercress
20g
1/2 cup fresh parsley
30g
1/3 cup parsley
30g

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ingredients:
- Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming too sticky.
- Clean the leeks thoroughly, ensuring all grit and dirt between the layers is removed. Finely chop the leeks.
- Chop the watercress, fresh parsley, and spearmint, and set them aside.
2. Cook the Leeks:
- In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped leeks to the pan and sauté them for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are soft and translucent, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the Rice and Nutmeg:
- Stir in the rinsed basmati rice and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, ensuring that the rice is well coated with the olive oil and mixed with the leeks.
- Sprinkle in the ground nutmeg and stir to combine.
4. Add the Liquid:
- Pour in the vegetable broth, and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
5. Incorporate the Greens:
- Once the rice is cooked, remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Gently stir in the chopped watercress, fresh parsley, and spearmint. The residual heat from the rice will wilt the greens just slightly, giving the pilaf a fresh and vibrant flavor.
6. Serve:
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve the green pilaf warm as a flavorful side dish or a main course.

Tips:

- Rinse the basmati rice thoroughly under cold water to remove excess starch and achieve a fluffier texture.

- Chop leeks finely to ensure even cooking and a more uniform texture in the pilaf.

- Use fresh herbs rather than dried ones. Fresh parsley, watercress, and spearmint provide a vibrant, aromatic quality that dried herbs can't match.

- Add the chopped herbs at the end of the cooking process to preserve their fresh flavors and bright green color.

- Allow the pilaf to rest for a few minutes after cooking. This helps the flavors meld together and improves the overall texture.

Green pilaf is a versatile and healthy dish that brings together a medley of fresh, vibrant flavors with the comforting base of basmati rice. Easy to prepare yet packed with taste, it’s a wonderful addition to any meal. By following these tips and employing the right ingredients, you’ll make a green pilaf that’s sure to impress and satisfy.

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size320 grams
Energy
Calories 110kcal5%
Protein
Protein 2.85g2%
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates 22g6%
Fiber 2.25g6%
Sugar 4.58g5%
Fat
Fat 8g9%
Saturated 1.38g5%
Cholesterol 0.00mg-
Vitamins
Vitamin A 140ug15%
Choline 11mg2%
Vitamin B1 0.15mg12%
Vitamin B2 0.08mg6%
Vitamin B3 1.04mg7%
Vitamin B6 0.26mg15%
Vitamin B9 88ug21%
Vitamin B12 0.00ug0%
Vitamin C 24mg26%
Vitamin E 0.94mg6%
Vitamin K 180ug149%
Minerals
Calcium, Ca 80mg6%
Copper, Cu 0.17mg19%
Iron, Fe 2.81mg26%
Magnesium, Mg 36mg9%
Phosphorus, P 60mg5%
Potassium, K 300mg9%
Selenium, Se 2.85ug5%
Sodium, Na 540mg36%
Zinc, Zn 0.39mg4%
Water
Water 270g-
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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