Brown Rice With Sage and Walnuts

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Brown Rice With Sage and Walnuts

If you’re someone who thinks “I gotta eat brown rice, because it’s healthier for me, but it’s not my favorite,” today’s recipe is for you.

In addition to possibly thinking that brown rice is a drudge to eat, there are two additional challenges to overcome to select it as a part of your weeknight menu.

Why Brown Rice Takes Longer to Cook Than White Rice

First it takes a lot longer to cook brown rice than white rice. It’s only fifteen to twenty minutes from start to finish for a pot of beautiful, fluffy white rice while brown rice on the other hand requires up to an hour.

Why?

Because brown rice is a whole grain.

This means it includes all parts of the grain, the outer covering which is the bran, the germ, and the endosperm. Brown rice is way more nutritious than white rice because the brand and the germ deliver most of the grain’s fiber and nutrition.

White rice is the same grain except with the bran and the germ polished off. Now it’s easier to understand that with the need to penetrate those two extra outer layers, it takes longer to cook.

The Trick to Cooking Brown Rice

Even when you cook brown rice for the appropriate amount of time, it might not cook evenly.

You still may end up with some crunchier grains than you’d prefer especially if you cook your rice on your stove-top.

To solve both of these issues, a longer cooking time and inconsistent results, I recommend cooking brown rice in the oven.

Rather than the just relying on the bottom up heat from the stove top, the oven’s surrounding heat will love on your brown rice and ensure each grain cooks evenly.

Add Some Additional Flavors That Match Well With the Nutty Flavor of Brown Rice

Brown rice has a naturally nutty-like flavor so it pairs well with a tad bit of apple juice in the cooking liquid.

It’s a nice change of pace from 100% water and contributes just a hint of sweetness.

Add some chopped sage and toasted walnuts in the mix and you’ve got a recipe for a nice blend of flavors, textures, and color to brighten the brown dreariness.

And while your rice cooks in the oven fuss-free, turn your attention to whatever you want to serve with this yummy dish.

It pairs well with chicken or pork.

Brown Rice With Sage and Walnuts

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Highlight the nutty flavor of brown rice with the addition of apple juice, sage, and walnuts. Bake brown rice in the oven for ease and even cooking.

• Prep Time: 0 hours
• Cook Time: 0 hours
• Total Time: 0 hours

Ingredients

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• 1 cup brown rice
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup apple juice
• 1 small onion, small dice
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon fresh sage, chopped
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
• olive oil

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Instructions

1. Heat your oven to 375˚
2. Heat an oven-proof 2.5 quart pot over high heat.
3. Reduce heat to medium and add enough olive oil to coat the bottom and then some.
4. Add the onion and sauté until softened.
5. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
6. Add the butter.
7. Once the butter is melted, add the rice to the pot and stir, coating the grains with the butter.
8. Add the water and apple juice.
9. Stir in the salt and bring to a boil.
10. Put the lid on the pot and place it the oven for 50 minutes.
11. Remove from the oven and give it a stir. Cover the pot with the lid and allow the rice to sit an additional 5 – 10 minutes.
12. Stir in the chopped sage and walnuts.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 Bowl
• Calories: 1384
• Sugar: 16.5 g
• Sodium: 1272.9 mg
• Fat: 69.1 g
• Saturated Fat: 13.9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 174.7 g
• Fiber: 12.2 g
• Protein: 24.4 g
• Cholesterol: 30.5 mg