Date and Walnut Pilaf

Date and Walnut Pilaf is a fragrant, dairy-free Moroccan rice dish that combines sweet dates with crunchy walnuts for a delightful contrast in flavors and textures. This dish is perfect as a light meal or a side dish, showcasing the rich culinary traditions of Morocco.

Ingredients

• Basmati rice - 150 grams
• Water - 400 ml
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Onion - 1 small, finely chopped
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Ground cinnamon - 1 teaspoon
• Ground cumin - 1 teaspoon
• Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
• Dried dates - 100 grams, pitted and chopped
• Walnuts - 50 grams, roughly chopped
• Fresh parsley - 2 tablespoons, chopped (for garnish)

Steps

1. Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then soak it in water for 20 minutes.
2. In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic, ground cinnamon, ground cumin, and salt to the saucepan, stirring for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Drain the soaked rice and add it to the saucepan, stirring well to coat the rice with the spice mixture.
5. Pour in the water and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed.
6. Remove the saucepan from heat and gently fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in the chopped dates and walnuts, mixing until evenly distributed.
7. Let the pilaf sit covered for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
8. Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley.

Nutrition

• Calories: 370
• Protein: 7 g
• Carbs: 62 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Water: 0.4 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in dietary fiber from dates and walnuts, promoting digestive health.
• Contains antioxidants from dates which may help reduce inflammation.

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