Ingredients
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1 cup Italian basmati Rice
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1.3 cups fresh Mushrooms
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1/2 cup Pistachio Nuts
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1/2 cup finely chopped Green Onion
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1.5 cups Water
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2 tablespoons Olive Oil
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Variation
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Instead of water, use 1.5 cups of Vegetable Broth
Steps for Italian Rice with Mushrooms & Pistachios
1
Done
5 Minutes
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Prepare the ingredientsRinse the mushrooms with cool water, but do not soak them because they will absorb water and become mushy. Dry thoroughly. You do not need to peel them. Cut off and discard the end of each stem. Cut each mushroom lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices or let them whole, without cutting. Finely chop the green onion, and if the pistachios are in shells, pull them out and cut in half the big ones. |
2
Done
21 Minutes
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Start CookingHeat the oil in a saucepan and add the onions. Cook briefly, stirring, until wilted. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring, about 2 minutes. Add nuts, rice, and the water or vegetable broth. Stir together, then cover and simmer for 15 minutes. |
3
Done
1 Minute
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The Italian Rice with Mushrooms & Pistachios is readyAfter the cooking is done, take the saucepan from the heat and divide into 5 equal portions. Enjoy! |
Additional Info for Italian Rice with Mushrooms & Pistachios
Italian Rice with Mushrooms & Pistachios is a recipe from Italian cuisine, great for weight loss purposes, and a healthy lifestyle. Rice dishes by their very nature, are very versatile and easy to be adapted and changed based on current needs or preferences.
Content on this recipe:
About the recipe for Italian Rice with Mushrooms & Pistachios
Italian cooks have the simplest recipes ever, but how can they reach to great flavors every time, with every dish? Well, if they have simple recipes doesn’t mean the dishes will lack flavors. Moreover, they have great ingredients that balance the flavor so that it reaches the highest taste notes.
The Italian Rice with Mushrooms & Pistachios is a recipe that respects all of that! Moreover, if you read this from the US, you can change the water to vegetable broth to change the taste a bit, adding an American touch. As a recommendation, avoid fad rice, without taste or aroma. You will here see how easy is to make rice with natural and healthy vegetables in no time! It is also a vegetarian or vegan recipe (if you eat it as such).
Health Benefits of Mushrooms and Pistachios
Mushrooms and pistachios are an unusual combination (I know) but have a great taste, different from which we are accustomed. Mushrooms are used for medicine porpuses by some. It was known by ancient civilizations to have healing powers. If you want to know more regarding the healing powers, click here.
As for vitamins, mushrooms are rich in B vitamins such as riboflavin B2, folate B9, thiamine B1, pantothenic acid B5, and niacin B3. Have a dietary source of vitamin D, selenium, potassium, copper, iron, phosphorus, beta-glucans, and choline. Also, mushrooms have a positive influence and boost immune system health, offer life longevity, improve digestion, fight against cancer, and a lot more.
Pistachios, on the other hand, promote healthy gut bacteria, lower cholesterol, and blood pressure, promote blood vessel health and blood sugar, can aid weight loss, and are high in proteins and antioxidants. As for nutrients, the pistachios are rich in potassium, phosphorus, vitamin B6 (one of the most vitamin B6-rich foods), thiamine, copper, and manganese. To these two ingredients, we can also add the health benefits of green onion and rice.
Pistachio nuts are not only tasty and fun to eat but also super healthy. These edible seeds of the Pistacia vera tree contain healthy fats and are a good source of protein, fiber, and antioxidants. What’s more, they contain several essential nutrients and can aid weight loss and heart and gut health. Interestingly, people have been eating pistachios since 7000 BC. Nowadays, they’re very popular in many dishes, including ice cream and desserts.
Can I include Italian Rice with Mushrooms & Pistachios to my weight-loss diet?
Not only can you add Italian Rice with Mushrooms & Pistachios to your weight-loss diet, but I recommend you to do it. Because of the mushrooms and pistachios, you’ll have a very low-fat intake and great protein assimilation. Moreover, these ingredients combined are great to make you feel full all the time, and you’ll eat less and less.
Besides that, if you have just started the weight-loss diet, the Italian Rice with Mushrooms & Pistachios will help you get through the beginning period (which is the hardest). Ate at brunch or dinner, this great dish will help you lose some pounds starting with week 2, but remember, you need to have variety in your meal plan, and for that, I recommend to see all my weight-loss recipes!
How can I choose the best mushrooms for this recipe?
When going shopping, look for creamy white to light brown caps that are tightly closed around the stems. If the caps have started to open and show the underside, or “gills,” the mushrooms may not be fresh. Wrap in damp paper towels and refrigerate in a plastic bag up to 4 days.