Garlicky Zucchini Rice
This Garlicky Zucchini Rice needs just four ingredients -- garlic, oregano, rice and zucchini--and it has so much flavor. It's the perfect side with any saucy dish!
Servings: 8
Calories: 160kcal
Equipment
- Food processor (or hand grater or box grater)
- Saute pan or skillet with tight lid
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (or vegetable oil)
- 6 cloves garlic (minced or crushed using a garlic press)
- 3 medium zucchini (about 1.25 pounds. You can also use yellow squash)
- 1 tablespoon oregano (I used fresh. If using dry use 1-2 teaspoons as the flavor is more concentrated)
- 1.5 cups raw basmati rice (or any long-grain rice. See notes for how to cook with brown rice or quinoa)
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Grate the zucchini using a grater or a food processor. Use the smallest to medium sized holes on the grater. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a saucepan or saute pan. Add the olive oil with the garlic and saute for a minute or two as the oil heats up and the garlic begins to turn lightly blonde.
- Add the oregano and mix a few more seconds so the flavor infuses through the oil.
- Stir in the zucchini and saute for a couple of minutes until it expresses its juices.
- Now add in the rice. You don't need to soak it, dry rice is fine. Saute the rice for a couple of minutes until the grains begin to turn opaque.
- Add 3 cups of water and add salt and ground black pepper to taste. As always taste the water after stirring it in and make sure it's slightly saltier than you want your final dish to be.
- Bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Cover the pot with a tight fitting lid, then turn down the heat to the lowest point on your largest burner, and cook undisturbed for 10 minutes.
- Open the pot, stir the rice one last time very gently so as to not break the grains, then cover again and cook, undisturbed, for 10 minutes more. Don't peek during this time and don't stir the rice again.
- Turn off the heat but don't open the pot--let it stand 10 minutes more so the rice can continue to steam.
- Fluff the grains of rice with a fork before serving. Serve hot.
Nutrition
Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Potassium: 249mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 158IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg