Basmati Rice Pilaf With Apricots

Total Time: 30 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1/4 cup dried apricot, chopped
• 2 slices lemon zest, wide strips
• 2 cups water, cold
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup basmati rice, uncooked, lightly rinsed and drained
• fresh ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup mint leaf
• 1/4 cup pistachios, can use cashews, unsalted and toasted

Recipe

• 1 put the apricots and lemon zest in the 2 cups of cold water. melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the garam masala, and toast, stirring , until fragrant, about 1 minute. add the onion and 1/4 of the salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender and translucent, about 6 minutes.
• 2 stir in the rice and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to brown, about 4 minutes. stir in the water along with the apricots, lemon zest, the remaining 1 teaspoons salt and pepper to taste. bring to a simmer. reduce the heat to low, wrap a clean dish towel around the saucepan lid, and cover the saucepan.
• 3 meanwhile, toast the nuts and set aside.
• 4 cook the rice for 10 minutes, set aside for 5 minutes undisturbed, then remove the lid and fluff with a fork.
• 5 mound the pilaf on a serving dish and tear the mint over it and top with nuts.