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Middle Eastern-Spiced Rice with Peas and Pistachios

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: israeli, Middle Eastern
Keyword: gluten free, peas, pistachios, rice, vegetarian
Servings: 6 servings
Author: GFchow @ gfchow.com

Equipment

  • Spice or Coffee Grinder

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 onion white, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 cup pistachios(raw and unsalted), ground in a spice mill or coffee grinder*
  • 1 cup white rice jasmine or basmati, rinsed
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen peas blanched and shocked
  • 1/4 cup flat leaf parsley chopped
  • Garnish with parsley sprigs and pistachios if desired optional

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees on Bake setting.
  • While oven is preheating, heat oil in an ovenproof pot over medium heat.
  • Add onion, garlic, and salt. Cook for about 5 minutes, until onion is translucent but not browned.
  • Then add remaining spices, pistachios, and rice and saute for another minute, until fragrant.
  • Stir in water, place lid on the pot, and place covered pot in the oven on the bottom or middle rack.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes, until rice is cooked through.
  • While rice is cooking, blanch peas in boiling water for 2 minutes. Then transfer peas to a bowl filled with cold water and ice to shock them and lock in the bright green color. Once peas have cooled, remove the ice cubes and drain the water. Place peas in a small bowl and set aside.
    if you’re not a fan of “blanching and shocking”, you can let frozen peas thaw in the refrigerator overnight (which means you will need to plan ahead!). Be sure to drain peas of any excess liquid before adding them to the rice.
  • Once rice is cooked through, remove pot from the oven keeping the lid on to let the rice steam for an additional 10 minutes.
  • Before serving, mix in the peas and the parsley until combined.
  • Garnish with parsley sprigs and pistachios if desired.

Notes

*If you don't have a spice grinder, you can still make this recipe. Try using a food processor, blender, or doing it by hand. If you do it by hand, you won't be able to achieve a "powder-like, fine consistency" but it will still taste delicious. 
If you're cooking for a large group, this recipe can easily be doubled and will serve more than 12 people.
Make this dish a meal by adding kabobs or shredded/sliced meat or poultry.