Description
A refreshing lemon herb rice dish that’s perfect as a side or main meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1 3/4 cups water
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill (optional)
- Lemon slices, for garnish
Instructions
- Rinse the Rice: Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming sticky.
- Cook the Rice: In a medium saucepan, bring 1 3/4 cups of water to a boil. Add the rinsed rice and salt to the boiling water. Stir once and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 15 minutes until the water is absorbed and the rice is cooked.
- Prepare the Herb Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, black pepper, parsley, and dill (if using).
- Fluff and Combine: Once the rice is cooked, remove it from heat and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains.
- Mix in Flavors: Pour the lemon herb mixture over the rice and gently toss to coat the rice evenly with the mixture.
- Garnish and Serve: Transfer the rice into a serving dish. Garnish with fresh lemon slices and additional parsley if desired.
Notes
- Rice Type: Basmati rice works best for this recipe due to its light and fluffy texture, but you can substitute with jasmine or any long-grain white rice.
- Herbs: Feel free to experiment with other herbs like basil or mint for different flavor variations.
- Vegetarian Option: For added nutrition, mix in some cooked peas, chickpeas, or diced vegetables.
- Storage: Store leftover rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of water to keep it moist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 0
- Sodium: 200
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Unsaturated Fat: 6
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 0