Garden Vegetable Rice Pilaf is a one pot meal with everybody’s favorite vegetables. It’s easy to throw together and any leftovers makes great fried rice.
And that reminds, me if you have fresh tomatoes then you can use those instead of canned. Just dice up the tomatoes and add a little water to measure 15 ounces. Try to mimic what comes in a can.
It is so nice to have a healthy meal at your fingertips. This pilaf recipe is very easy and without the zuke it also freezes great. That means I remove the zucchini before freezing and I add them to tofu scramble or some other such recipe.
Lots of people do freeze zukes but I don’t like them that way. I like the crisp fresh texture so I add them right before serving when they have been barely sauted.
I talk a little bit about different ways people treat zucchini in the next section below.
Tips for Making Garden Vegetable Rice Pilaf
As I said above, I like my zucchini lightly cooked and would even call it al dente if I could. That is why in the recipe they are lightly sauted and then removed from the skillet before adding everything else.
Now I’ve heard that some people like zucchini cooked until it’s soft soft soft. If that’s the way you like it then don’t pre-saute them. Instead add them to the pot about 10 minutes into the cooking process. You won’t need to stir them it. Just drop on top and close the lid quickly.
Use a large deep skillet if you can because it’s a lot of food going into one pot.
The liquid won’t be completely gone at the end of cooking but that is just what you want. A little moisture for the pilaf.
Lucky for all of us, I have improved in the photography department. For this recipe I even played with the settings a bit so I got a little moody in a couple of the photos.
Do you know that some people taste soap when they have cilantro? I’m not kidding and if you’re one of those people you’re shaking your head ‘Yes’!
It’s just some chemical/genetic (or whatever) makeup that causes the phenomenon. That’s why I mentioned not to freely use cilantro in this – just in case.
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Before you get started on the pilaf recipe let me tell you about another rice dish that only takes 30 minutes. It’s Cashew Rice Bowl and so worth exploring.
It’s completely different from this one so I think you’ll want to check that one out too. Okay! Back to Garden Vegetable Rice Pilaf!
Garden Vegetable Rice Pilaf
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 1/2 cups 2 carrots, measurement is 'about'
- 15 ounces can diced tomatoes with the liquid
- 1 cup zucchini cut into discs - about one medium zucchini
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 3/4 cup small green bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat about 3 tablespoons of water in a skillet that has a tight fitting lid.
- Add the zucchini and quickly saute for about 3-4 minutes. Remove the zucchini and set aside.
- Add the onion and bell pepper to the skillet and saute about 10 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes with it's liquid, broth, uncooked rice, carrots, basil, rosemary, salt and pepper.
- Bring to a boil and then cover. Lower the heat and simmer 20 minutes.
- The liquid should be absorbed by almost this time.
- Right before serving - add the zucchini and toss.
Nutrition
How Do You Freeze Garden Vegetable Rice Pilaf?
IF FREEZING:
Freeze the pilaf without the zucchini for the freshest texture.
Pack in a hard sided freezer container for up to 6 months.
TO SERVE AFTER FREEZING:
Take out of the freezer the day before. Let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Quickly saute fresh sliced zucchini and then toss with the pilaf. Heat through in a skillet.
Serve with a nice big piece of Italian bread and a salad.
This easy pilaf is similar to Dzuvec rice I’m a big fan of, so I’m sure that this clean eating recipe is a winner for me too. I love also the fact that you cook this lean dish without oil.
I’ll take a big old bowl please! I love rice pilaf, but even more so with all these delicious veggies!
Love the freezer tips! Thanks for the recipe.
I love how this recipe uses so many great veggies (the RD in me is super happy, haha!). Also, I’m a total weirdo that used to HATE cilantro but now I’ve become accustomed to the taste and love it!
This is the perfect accompaniment for so many meals. I’d even use it for a burrito filling!
That is wonderful Kara! You are very very welcome!
Yes Kristen! Thanks for the feedback too. 🙂
Thanks Jerome! You really could. Just precook the broccoli or asparagus and mix it in at the end and reheat! t would be really good. 🙂
Wouldn’t that be great! Thanks Hannah!
You will really like it! Thanks so much Julia!
Just made this tonight. Sooooooo good! Thanks for another great recipe!
I would never have thought to freeze rice pilaf. Good to know it can be done! I agree on the frozen zucchini thing–it’s so much tastier with the texture in tact.
This looks amazing coming from a veggie lover. I wish I could do this with broccoli or asparagus. 🙂
This sounds great! I would love to try making it with cauliflower “rice” too!
This looks delicious! I’ll have to pin this for later. I like having a variety of options for rice–the plain stuff gets so boring!
Fantastic Colynn! All clean eating :).
This looks so good, and it’s so easy to make. I made something similar to this last night, and I definitely agree with you that fresh zucchini tastes way better than frozen zucchini. I think I’m going to have to make a big batch of this.