Description
Hearty pesto rice brings Mediterranean flavors together in one delightful comfort dish. Green herb-infused grains mingle with nutty parmesan, offering you a quick and satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup arborio rice
- 2 cups vegetable stock
- 2 oz (50 g) fresh basil leaves
- 1 oz (25 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
Pesto Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon pine nuts
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 12 teaspoon sea salt
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- juice of 1 lemon
- Fresh ground black pepper
- 4 green onions, finely sliced
- Fresh basil leaves (garnish)
- Parmesan shavings
Instructions
- Gently warm vegetable stock in a saucepan, avoiding boiling point.
- Create vibrant pesto by blending fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, minced garlic, and sea salt with olive oil, then fold in grated Parmesan cheese.
- Coat uncooked rice thoroughly with a portion of the prepared pesto mixture.
- Combine seasoned rice with hot stock and additional salt, bringing to a vigorous boil before reducing heat, covering, and simmering for approximately 20 minutes until liquid is absorbed.
- Once rice is cooked, transfer to a serving bowl and incorporate remaining pesto, fresh lemon juice, extra olive oil, and cracked black pepper, mixing until evenly distributed.
- Elevate the dish’s visual appeal and flavor profile by scattering fresh chopped basil leaves, thinly sliced green onions, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese over the top before presenting.
Notes
- Toasting pine nuts beforehand intensifies their nutty flavor and adds a delightful crunch to the pesto.
- Choose arborio or basmati rice for extra creaminess and fragrant texture when cooking this dish.
- For a dairy-free version, swap Parmesan with nutritional yeast or omit cheese completely while maintaining rich herbal notes.
- Keep extra pesto refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a week, perfect for quick meal upgrades or sandwich spreads.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 1500 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg