brown rice with apples

My husband won’t say it — because he’s a nice guy — but he gets tired of rice, so I try to punch it up by adding vegetables, spices, using flavored broth instead of water, etc. Rice is so simple, yet you can do so much with it.

I had to make a salad/side dish for the teachers at my son’s middle school today. I knew I would make an apple dish, but I wasn’t sure which one. Then I found a recipe for Brown Rice with Apples.

Done.

BROWN RICE WITH APPLES

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 shallots, minced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 ¼ cups uncooked instant brown rice (can substitute instant wild rice, too)
• 2 ¼ cups ready-to-serve fat-free, low sodium chicken broth
• 1 ½ cups chopped unpeeled red apple
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Heat oil in large nonstick saucepan over medium heat until hot. Add shallot and garlic; cook about 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in rice, broth, apple and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook 10 to 15 minutes or until rice is tender.

Remove saucepan from heat; let stand 5 minutes. Drain and discard any excess liquid. Stir in parsley.

Source: Pillsbury: Fast and Healthy Cookbook: 350 East Recipes for Everyday by The Pillsbury Company (Clarkson Potter; March 24, 1998)