I have mentioned before that my family likes quinoa mixed with white rice. I try to use brown rice as much as possible, but old habits are hard to break, and white rice is one of them. At least I feel better about the nutritional value when I add whole grain quinoa to it.
I decided to add a few pecans to this recipe. Pecans are probably my favorite nut, and I love the smell and taste of them after they have been toasted. Toasting is a step that is easy to skip, but it makes so much difference in the flavor of the nuts and whatever you are adding them to.
For this recipe, I toasted them in a dry cast iron skillet. I prefer toasting them in the oven, though. To do that, spread the nuts in a single layer on a cookie sheet and bake them at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. Remember to toast them whole and be careful not to burn them.
Rice & Quinoa Pilaf
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup white rice
- 3/4 cup red quinoa
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/3 – 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 1 large clove, grated or minced
- 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans
- chicken broth for the cooking liquid
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
Stovetop:
- Saute the onion, pepper and garlic until it begins to soften.
- Combine the rice, quinoa, onion, pepper, and garlic in a sauce pan.
- Add 3 cups broth. Bring to a boil and simmer about 20 minutes until the rice and quinoa are done.
- Fluff with a fork and stir in the pecans, salt, and pepper.
Pressure Cooker:
- In a pressure cooker, combine the rice, quinoa, onion, pepper and garlic along with 2 1/4 cups broth.
- Close the lid and bring to low pressure using high heat.
- Cook for 5 minutes, remove from heat, and let the pressure come down naturally. Fluff up the rice with a fork and stir in the pecans, and salt and pepper.
Courses Side Dish
You can find more whole grain recipes at the Ultimate Recipe Swap. This post is also linked to Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays and Friday Foodie Fix which has a pecan theme this week.
Such a cool idea! I've never thought of mixing the two, but I'm sure it would be fabulous!
This pilaf looks great to me, Linda. I wouldn't worry about using white rice occasionally. I think it complements the heartiness of the quinoa well. I love everything with pecans so adding them to this dish is wonderful. I admit that I never think of toasting them though, so I'll have to do that next time.
Thanks,
Shirley
I love the ideas of pecans in this dish. What a great addition. Thank you for sharing this on Friday Foodie Fix.
Can this be cooked someway other than the pressure cooker. I don’t have one.
Hi Denise. Under “Instructions” there are directions for cooking it in a pressure cooker and below that directions for cooking it using a regular pot on the stove top.
Have made this recipe several times and it is absolutely delicious!! It makes a lot for two people so I use leftovers to stuff inside of flour tortillas, warp in foil and freeze. When ready to eat I bake them in a 400 degree oven for 35-40 min. Yummy….