Spring Pea Mint Rice (Printable)

Fragrant pilaf with spring peas and fresh mint, light and flavorful, ideal as a side for ham.

# What You'll Need:

→ Rice & Broth

01 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, such as basmati or jasmine
02 - 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

03 - 1 cup fresh or frozen spring peas
04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Herbs & Seasonings

07 - 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
09 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

12 - Lemon wedges for serving

# How-To:

01 - Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain thoroughly.
02 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened and translucent.
03 - Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add the rinsed rice and stir to coat the grains evenly with butter and aromatics.
05 - Pour in the vegetable broth, add salt and pepper, and bring to a boil.
06 - Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer for 15 minutes.
07 - Stir in the peas, adding frozen peas directly from the freezer or fresh peas raw. Cover again and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
08 - Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
09 - Fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in the mint, parsley, and lemon zest.
10 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve warm, garnished with lemon wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes, leaving you calm instead of frantic right before guests arrive.
  • The combination of mint and lemon zest is so bright and unexpected that even people who claim they don't like side dishes will ask for seconds.
  • You can use frozen peas, which means you're never caught without the ingredients when inspiration strikes.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice, even if you're tired. It genuinely changes the texture from mushy to separate and tender.
  • Add the mint at the very end, not during cooking, or it'll turn dark and lose that fresh, alive quality that makes this dish special.
  • Frozen peas are your friend and require no thawing, they'll cook perfectly in the residual heat of the rice.
03 -
  • If you want extra richness without heaviness, replace one tablespoon of butter with good olive oil, which gives you a Mediterranean vibe.
  • The lemon zest is non-negotiable for brightness, but fresh lemon juice stirred in right at the end takes it even further.
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