Rice Pilaf With Almonds and Raisins

Name: Rice Pilaf With Almonds and Raisins
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 2 cups basmati rice; 3 tablespoons olive or canola oil or ghee; 1 piece cinnamon stick; ½ medium onion; 2 tablespoons slivered blanched almonds; 2 tablespoons golden raisins; 1 teaspoon salt

A fragrant and elegant basmati rice dish enriched with toasted almonds, plump golden raisins, and aromatic cinnamon. This classic pilaf makes a perfect side dish that pairs well with any meal.

6 servings

1 hr 5 min

Published October 4, 2025

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Ingredients

•2 cups basmati rice
•3 tablespoons olive or canola oil or ghee
•1 piece cinnamon stick
•½ medium onion
•2 tablespoons slivered blanched almonds
•2 tablespoons golden raisins
•1 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1.
Put the rice in a bowl. Wash in several changes of water. Drain. Let the rice soak in water that covers it generously for 30 minutes. Drain through a sieve and leave in the sieve suspended over a bowl to drip. Pour the oil into a heavy, medium pan (that has a tight-fitting lid) and set over medium-high heat. When hot, put in the cinnamon. Let it sizzle for 10 seconds. Put in the onions. Stir and fry the onions until they start to brown. Add the almonds. Stir until they are golden. Add the raisins. Stir until they are plump, just a few seconds. Add the drained rice and salt. Stir very gently to mix. Add 2 2/3 cups water and bring to a boil. Cover tightly, turn heat to very, very low, and simmer gently for 25 minutes.
65 min