Description
A quick, comforting, and creamy vegetable rice dish perfect for busy weeknights. Made with simple ingredients like long-grain rice, butter, broth, and mixed vegetables, this recipe delivers rich flavor in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (200g) long-grain white rice (jasmine or basmati)
- 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 cups (350ml) low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 cup (150g) frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Rinse the rice in a fine-mesh strainer under cold water for about 30 seconds until the water runs clear. Drain well.
- Melt the butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and a pinch of salt. Cook for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, being careful not to burn it.
- Add the drained rice to the pan and stir for 1-2 minutes to toast the grains until they are coated in butter and slightly translucent at the edges.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and add the frozen mixed vegetables. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
- Remove the pan from heat and let it rest, covered, for another 5 minutes.
- Fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in the heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot.
Notes
Do not lift the lid while the rice is simmering to ensure proper steaming. Toasting the rice before adding liquid adds a nutty flavor. If using brown rice, adjust cooking time and liquid ratio accordingly. For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with olive oil and heavy cream with coconut milk.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 5
Keywords: creamy vegetable rice, weeknight dinner, quick side dish, comfort food, easy rice recipe, vegetarian side, gluten-free option