Fruit & Nut Rice Pilaf

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Serves: 4

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INGREDIENTS

¼ cup FreshLife Natural Almonds, roughly chopped
2 tbsp FreshLife Pine Nuts
¼ cup FreshLife Seedless Raisins
2 tbsp FreshLife Pumpkin Seeds
1½ cups basmati rice (rinsed and drained)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 clove garlic, crushed
3 cups vegetable stock
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp ground turmeric
1 cinnamon stick
Fresh parsley for garnish

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METHOD

1. Heat a dry, deep pan over medium heat. Add the almonds, pine nuts and pumpkin seeds. Stir continuously for 2 to 3 minutes until lightly golden and aromatic. Remove them from the pan and set aside.

2. In the same pan, heat the olive oil. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until soft. Stir in the garlic, cumin, turmeric, and the cinnamon stick, letting them sizzle for 30 seconds.

3. Add the drained basmati rice to the spiced onion mixture. Stir for 1 to 2 minutes over medium heat to toast the rice grains and coat them in the oil and spices. 

4. Pour in the stock and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir in the raisins, cover tightly with a lid, and turn the heat down to the lowest setting. Let it simmer undisturbed for 15 to 20 minutes.

5. Remove the pan from the heat, keeping the lid on. Let it sit and steam for 5 to 10 minutes. 

6. Uncover and discard the cinnamon stick. Use a fork to gently fluff the rice.

7. Fold in most of the toasted nuts and seeds, reserving a small handful to scatter over the top alongside fresh parsley just before serving.