Healthy Brown Rice and Quinoa Pilaf with Carrots
Wholesomeness during the holidays is possible with my Healthy Brown Rice with Quinoa Pilaf with Carrots. It's the perfect side dish for your next dinner. Made with long grain brown rice and tricolored quinoa, this combination is blended with cinnamon, nutmeg and maple syrup to give it a holiday touch. Like other pilaf recipes, you can also serve this as a main course.
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 1/2 cup brown rice long grain
- 1/2 cup quinoa I use tri-colored but any kind will work
- 2 cups chicken broth Plus more as needed. To make this vegan, use vegetable broth instead
- 1/2 sweet onion small diced
- 2 medium carrots peeled and small diced
- salt as needed
- black pepper as needed
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest about a 1/4 of small orange
- 1/4 cup italian parsley washed thoroughly and chopped
Instructions
- In a large dutch oven pan, heat oil on medium heat. Add the brown rice, carrots and onion. Let cook for 7 minutes until onions start to sweat and rice starts to get toasted. Add a dash of salt, pepper and add the spices.
- Add the quinoa and broth and give it a quick stir. Cover pot. When it begins to boil, turn down to low heat and let it simmer for about 45 minutes or until rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from the heat. Fluff quinoa and rice with a fork. Stir in the maple syrup and add additional salt and pepper if needed. Then add the orange zest.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and top with fresh parsley.
Notes
Notes:
To make this recipe healthy I used olive instead of butter which is used in traditional pilafs. If you'd like to use butter, sub out for the same amount.
This rice will pair well with roasted poultry, beef or white fish.
To make this rice vegan, use vegetable broth instead of chicken.
Check on the pilaf after 35-40 minutes. The brown rice takes awhile to cook and you may need to add more chicken stock and cooking time.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Calories: 276kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 6gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 465mgPotassium: 386mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 5420IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 57mgIron: 2mg
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