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Basmati Rice Pilaf

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on October 16, 2019

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Serves 4 to 6

Basmati Rice Pilaf

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 small onion, chopped fineSalt and pepper 1½ cups basmati rice, rinsed2¼ cups water

Before You Begin

This recipe can be easily doubled; increase the amount of water to 3¾ cups.

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and ¼ teaspoon salt and cook until onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring often, until grain edges begin to turn translucent, about 3 minutes.
  2. Stir in water and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and continue to simmer until rice is tender and all water is absorbed, 16 to 18 minutes.
  3. Remove saucepan from heat and lay clean folded dish towel underneath lid. Let sit for 10 minutes. Fluff rice with fork, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve.
Basmati Rice Pilaf

Basmati Rice Pilaf

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Yield

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped fine
Salt and pepper
1½ cups basmati rice, rinsed
2¼ cups water

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped fine
Salt and pepper
1½ cups basmati rice, rinsed
2¼ cups water

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped fine
Salt and pepper
1½ cups basmati rice, rinsed
2¼ cups water

Why This Recipe Works

Long-grain white, jasmine, or Texmati rice can be substituted for the basmati. You will need a large saucepan with a tight-fitting lid for this recipe. A nonstick saucepan will help prevent the rice from sticking. This recipe can be easily doubled; increase the amount of water to only 3¾ cups.

Before You Begin

This recipe can be easily doubled; increase the amount of water to 3¾ cups.

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and ¼ teaspoon salt and cook until onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring often, until grain edges begin to turn translucent, about 3 minutes.
  2. Stir in water and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and continue to simmer until rice is tender and all water is absorbed, 16 to 18 minutes.
  3. Remove saucepan from heat and lay clean folded dish towel underneath lid. Let sit for 10 minutes. Fluff rice with fork, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve.

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