The Holidays are upon us and with them comes the perpetual question: "How do I keep this interesting? How do I make this dinner different than every other year?". But then I asked my self : "Do I really HAVE to?" . A simple quick and easy onion and mushroom rice is always a crowd pleaser.
Growing up, our mom always prepared the same meal for every Holiday. We all knew what to expect and no one ever complained. Quite the opposite. We all looked forward to it. Everything was delicious, we enjoyed every single bite of it, and we were all more than satisfied at the end.
So why do I feel the need to always come up with something new? Why drive myself crazy every single time, when I can have a menu written down, and just use it anytime I need it?
Well, I finally figured it out: it's because of the "blogger hat" I wear 24/7 that I can't seem to take off.
After creating recipes and blogging for almost 5 years, my brain is in constant creative mode. I can't read a magazine, eat at a restaurant or watch a cooking show without thinking about a recipe I can create. And to tell you the truth, it can be mentally exhausting. Especially because it often makes my life way more complicated than it needs to be. And because my brain doens't get a second to RELAX.
I've realized that it is ok to turn off the "work switch" and let the "fun switch" take over every no and then. And when I do that, I start cooking from the heart again and the results are much better. Even if it's a super simple recipe like this Onion and Mushroom Rice Pilaf
Shanah Tovah! Happy New Year!
Enjoy!
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Mushroom And Onion Rice Pilaf
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
The Holidays are upon us and with them comes the perpetual question: "How do I keep this interesting? How do I make this dinner different than every other year?". But then I asked my self : "Do I really HAVE to?" . A simple quick and easy onion and mushroom rice is always a crowd pleaser.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp avocado or grape seed oil
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 10oz crimini (baby bella) mushrooms, sliced
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
- 3 tbsp all natural onion dip mix (here we used Trader Joe's brand)
- 1 ½ cups jasmine rice
- 3 cups water or vegetable broth
- ¾ cup chopped parsley
- ¾ cup pomegranate seeds ( about 1 small pomegranate)
- ¼ cup toasted sunflower seeds
Instructions
- Heat oil in a deep skillet (chose one that has a lid). Add onions and cook over medium high heat for 10 minutes, stirring frequently
- Add mushrooms salt and pepper and cook for about 5 minutes or until all the water from the mushroom has evaporated. Add rice, water, or broth, and onion soup mix and bring to a boil. Cover, lower heat, and simmer for 25 minutes
- Remove rice from heat and let it stand for 10-15 minutes with the lid on
- Right before serving, add parsley, pomegranate and sunflower seeds and toss well
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Category: Sides
- Cuisine: Kosher / Vegan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 227
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 113
- Fat: 2
- Saturated Fat: .3
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 47
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 0
cheri says
I feel the same way, some times I have the hardest time making up my mind, simple is most of the time better. Love this rice pilaf, such a great idea to add fresh pomegranate seeds and parsley.
★★★★★
Vicky & Ruth says
Thank you! We're definitely a little obsessed with pomegranate seeds haha. And yes, simple is often better! Enjoy 🙂
Vicky & Ruth says
Thanks Cheri!
cindele says
Looks yummy, easy, and delicious!! May you and your families be blessed with a wonderful new year!
★★★★★
Vicky & Ruth says
Thank you Cindelle. Shana Tova U Metuka!
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Wow! What a stunner you have here. Mushroom and onion rice pilaf is speaking to me, and those pomegranate arils on the top are absolutely adorable.
Vicky & Ruth says
Thank you Anu. It is pomegranates season,so expect to see them in plenty of our recipes 🙂
Balvinder says
I totally relate to you on that creative mode switch, I have been blogging for 5 years as well and as soon as I see certain ingredients ideas come rushing to my mind. This simple recipe of yours will put a “royal culinary charm” to any holiday dinner.
★★★★★
Marcie says
When do you add the onion dip??
Vicky & Ruth says
Hi Marcie, thank you for catching the missing step in the instructions. We corrected the recipes.You add the onion soup mix when you add the water or broth.