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
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?
I use 5 cups of water for 1 cup of brown rice — far more than the typical absorption ratio — and drain 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?
Toasting the sesame seeds enhances their nutty flavor. Toast 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?
I love it alongside simply sautéed squash, and it also makes a great accompaniment for salmon, any fish, chicken, or beans. It also works fine eaten on its own.
gonna try this tonight! thx.