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Pesto Rice Recipe

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4.3 from 195 reviews

This vibrant and flavorful Pesto Rice recipe combines tender white rice with aromatic pesto, enhanced by a hint of lemon juice. Perfect as a side dish or a light meal, it features simple ingredients and is quick to prepare in just 30 minutes, making it an ideal addition to your weeknight dinner repertoire.

Ingredients

Rice and Cooking Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup white rice
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth (or bone broth)

Flavorings and Garnish

  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • ¼ cup pesto
  • Salt, to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
  • Pine nuts (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat oil and butter: In a large saucepan, warm the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat until the butter melts and starts to sizzle.
  2. Toast the rice: Add the white rice to the saucepan and toast it for about 1 minute, stirring constantly until the grains become translucent, releasing a nutty aroma.
  3. Add broth and cook rice: Pour in the chicken broth and increase the heat to bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
  4. Simmer the rice: Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover the saucepan with a lid, and let the rice simmer gently for 15 to 18 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
  5. Rest and fluff the rice: Remove the saucepan from heat and allow it to rest covered for 5 to 10 minutes. Then, use a fork to fluff the rice, separating the grains gently.
  6. Mix in pesto and lemon juice: Stir in the pesto and lemon juice evenly into the fluffy rice to infuse it with fresh herbal flavor and brightness.
  7. Season and garnish: Taste the rice and season with salt as desired. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and pine nuts for added texture and presentation before serving.

Notes

  • You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth to make this recipe vegetarian.
  • Using bone broth adds extra nutrition and depth of flavor.
  • Adjust the amount of pesto to your taste preference for a milder or stronger basil flavor.
  • For a nuttier taste, lightly toast the pine nuts before garnishing.
  • Leftover pesto rice reheats well and can be paired with grilled vegetables or proteins.

Find it online: https://recipethrive.com/pesto-rice-recipe/