Brown Rice Pilaf with Sage, Walnuts, and Dried Fruit

Name: Brown Rice Pilaf with Sage, Walnuts, and Dried Fruit
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 1 medium onion, chopped; 1 medium celery stalk, trimmed and chopped; 2 cups brown rice, uncooked; 2 1/2 cups water; 2 cups reduced-sodium, fat-free vegetable broth; 1/4 cup raisins; 1/4 cup dried apricots, chopped; 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped; 1 teaspoon dried sage; 2 teaspoons fresh sage, chopped; Salt to taste; Black pepper to taste; Canola cooking spray

Recipe GLPR4e3880f9ec9441

Side Dish

75 min

236 cal

Servings: 8

Stovetop

A wholesome and aromatic brown rice pilaf featuring tender grains combined with sautéed onions and celery, enriched with the warm spice of sage and studded with chewy raisins, apricots, and toasted walnuts. This hearty side dish brings together nutty brown rice with the natural sweetness of dried fruit for a satisfying and nutritious accompaniment to any meal.

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Ingredients

1 medium onion, chopped

1 medium celery stalk, trimmed and chopped

2 cups brown rice, uncooked

2 1/2 cups water

2 cups reduced-sodium, fat-free vegetable broth

1/4 cup raisins

1/4 cup dried apricots, chopped

1/4 cup walnuts, chopped

1 teaspoon dried sage

2 teaspoons fresh sage, chopped

Salt to taste

Black pepper to taste

Canola cooking spray

Directions

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before beginning. Coat a large skillet with canola cooking spray and heat over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and celery to the hot skillet and sauté, stirring frequently, until the vegetables become tender and begin to turn golden, approximately 5 minutes.
Pour in the uncooked brown rice and continue sautéing, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes to lightly toast the grains and enhance their nutty flavor.
Add the water, vegetable broth, raisins, and chopped dried apricots to the skillet. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid. Simmer gently for about 50 minutes, until the rice is tender and has absorbed all of the liquid. Do not stir during cooking.
Remove from heat and stir in the dried sage and walnuts, blending them evenly throughout the pilaf.
Taste the pilaf and adjust the seasoning by adding salt and black pepper as desired.
Transfer the pilaf to a serving dish and garnish generously with the fresh chopped sage. Serve immediately while warm.

Comments

Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff4

Brown rice pilaf hits all the practical marks for a Charlotte weeknight: every ingredient is stocked at Harris Teeter, Food Lion, or Walmart, and a full batch costs around $12–14, landing at under $2 per serving. The 75-minute timer is honest—brown rice needs its full simmer—but this is a true set-it-and-forget-it dish that rewards batch cooking and reheats perfectly through the work week. The formula is rock-solid comfort food, though sage and walnuts are a touch fussier than most pantry pilafs; it's best suited to a dinner where the main protein gets your attention and this plays supporting role.