Brown Rice with Toasted Pine Nuts, Carmelized Shallots and Lemon Zest

This rice dish turned out really good. My husband told me that it's his FAVORITE rice dish ever and my two kids had seconds. It was very simple to make and had so much flavor! It was a really nice side dish to the Chicken, Mushrooms and Artichoke Hearts in a Roasted Lemon Sauce (see recipe here). This recipe serves four.

• 2 tbsp pine nuts
• 1/2 tsp olive oil
• 1 shallot diced finely
• 1 tsp lemon zest divided in two
• Brown rice prepared per instructions (use vegetable or chicken stock to cook the rice - it's much more flavorful). Also, add 1/2 tsp of lemon zest to rice while cooking.
• 1 tsp butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

While the brown rice is cooking, add pine nuts to a DRY skillet over medium heat. Toast the nuts stirring often, until they are golden brown 2-3 minutes. After the nuts are finished cooking, remove from pan and set aside. In the same pan add the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallot and cook until soft and tender. They cook fast so stir them often. Once rice is finished cooking, add pine nuts, shallots, the remainder of lemon zest, butter and salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

• Click here for printable recipe