Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter (or oil)
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup uncooked white rice, rinsed and drained
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ½ cup carrots, shredded
- 1½ teaspoon chopped sage (or ½ tsp dried)
- 1½ teaspoon chopped thyme (or ½ tsp dried)
- 1½ teaspoon chopped rosemary (or ½ tsp dried)
- 1 ¾ cups hot broth
- 1 large or 2 small zucchini, cut into quarter moons
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Onions: Heat the vegan butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the diced onion and salt. Sauté until the onions become translucent, approximately 5 minutes, releasing their natural sweetness.
- Toast Rice and Aromatics: Add the rinsed rice, minced garlic, shredded carrots, and chopped herbs (sage, thyme, rosemary) to the skillet. Stir frequently, cooking until the rice is lightly toasted and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the hot broth and stir to combine. Increase the heat to medium and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer gently for 10 minutes to allow the rice to absorb the flavors.
- Incorporate Zucchini: Add the quartered zucchini pieces to the skillet, mixing them into the rice with care. Cover and cook on low heat for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the zucchini to soften while maintaining some texture.
- Rest the Pilaf: Remove the skillet from the heat but keep it covered. Let the pilaf sit undisturbed for 10 minutes to finish steaming and ensure fluffiness.
- Finish and Serve: Uncover and fluff the rice gently with a fork. Stir in fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve warm, garnished with extra parsley if desired, and enjoy this vibrant vegetable rice pilaf.
Notes
- You can substitute shredded sweet or white potatoes for carrots to add a different flavor profile to the pilaf.
- The nutrition facts provided do not account for added salt and pepper to taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Category: Entree
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vegan, Gluten-free
- Diet: Vegan
