Brown Rice Pilaf with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Proscuitto

So, naturally, I love rice. Maybe it's because I'm asian but there really is nothing out there that can take the place of rice. Yeah, quinoa's great and all but honestly.... it doesn't hold a candle to good ol' rice.

My family, trying to eat healthier, has been a on brown rice kick. We obviously can't kick the rice habit, so why not eat something a little healthier!

I, of course, decide to make the healthy brown rice into a not-so-healthy brown rice pilaf with sun-dried tomatoes and proscuitto, hehe....oops?




Recipe follows (courtesy of Whole Foods):

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2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1/4 pound thinly sliced prosciutto, roughly chopped

1 cup long-grain brown rice

2 cups water or broth

2 tablespoons tomato paste

Salt and ground black pepper to taste

1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, thinly sliced

1/4 cup basil leaves, torn

1/4 cup toasted pine nuts (optional)

In a medium saucepot, sauté garlic and prosciutto in warmed oil over medium-high heat, stirring often, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in rice, water or broth, tomato paste, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until liquid is completely absorbed, about 45 minutes. Remove covered pot from heat and let sit 10 minutes; uncover and fluff with fork. Transfer to a large bowl, add sun-dried tomatoes, basil and pine nuts (optional) and toss to combine.

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So simple and so delicious. I decided to include the pine nuts as I had some leftover when I was making some homemade pesto and I omitted the basil because my basil plant died and I refuse to buy another one :(

The pine nuts is a must add-in. The crunch of the toasted pine nuts is a great addition and I didn't miss the basil too much.

This recipe is great for a meal (all you need is some refreshing greens to start) or it can act as a side dish! Rich and hearty from the tomato paste, this is an adaptable dish that anyone would love!

Looking to kick up your meal a little and you're sick of plain old rice as a side dish? Try this recipe out! It's from Whole Foods- and you know they wouldn't steer you wrong ;)


Taste: A
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 60 minutes