Sometimes I spend so much time investigating main courses that I totally forget the other parts of the meal. This recipe is so good, however, that it’ll make you forget the main course. The tiny toasted sesame seeds add such a nutty flavor and the copious amount of parsley keeps the dish light and fresh.
I served this dish with simply sauteed squash but I think it would be a great accompaniment for salmon, or any fish really, or chicken. Or beans. Or anything. Or nothing. Just alone. Yum.
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Green Rice
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A healthy brown rice dish infused with fresh parsley and nutty sesame seeds, perfect as a side or standalone meal.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (240 mL) brown rice
- 5 cups (1 L) water
- 1/2 cup (15 g) chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup (35 g) sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
Instructions
- Bring 5 cups of water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1 cup of brown rice and cook for 30 minutes or until the rice is tender.
- Pour the water and rice through a fine strainer to drain. Return the drained rice to the cooking pot.
- Cover the pot with a lid and let the rice sit off the heat for 10 minutes to allow it to steam and become fluffy.
- In a separate pan, toast 1/4 cup of sesame seeds over medium heat until they are golden brown and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in 1/2 cup of chopped parsley, the toasted sesame seeds, 1 tbsp of olive oil, and 1 tbsp of soy sauce.
- Serve warm as a side dish or enjoy on its own.
Notes
- This dish pairs well with simply sautéed squash, salmon, chicken, or beans.
- It can also be enjoyed on its own.
- Toasting the sesame seeds enhances their nutty flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 0
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 0
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you drain the brown rice rather than absorbing all the water?
The recipe uses 5 cups of water for 1 cup of brown rice — far more than the typical absorption ratio — and drains the excess after 30 minutes. The drained rice then steams off the heat with the lid on for 10 minutes, which produces fluffy individual grains rather than a gummy, sticky result.
Why does the recipe call for toasting the sesame seeds?
The notes specifically state that toasting the sesame seeds enhances their nutty flavor. The recipe toasts the ¼ cup of sesame seeds in a dry pan for 3 to 4 minutes until golden and fragrant before stirring them into the rice with the parsley, olive oil, and soy sauce.
What dishes does this rice pair well with?
The article suggests it alongside simply sautéed squash, and also calls it a great accompaniment for salmon, any fish, chicken, or beans. The author adds it also works fine eaten alone.
gonna try this tonight! thx.