Orange juice squeezed on a bowl with rice and broccoli and a piece of salmon on the side

Orange Scented Rice Pilaf with Broccolini

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The subtle but bright orange flavor in this rice shines when paired with fish, pork, or chicken. It’s an easy-peasy side dish that elevates a simple side to a whole new level!

Cliff Notes:
Prepare rice according to package directions, adding a large piece of orange peel and a bay leaf. After rice has cooked, remove from stove and place a clean tea towel under the lid to allow the rice to steam for 5-10 minutes.

Make It Your Own:
– Replace the orange peel and bay leaf with lemon peel and thyme
– Replace the orange peel with lime peel; mix in fresh cilantro leaves before serving (great with Mexican dishes)
– Replace the broccolini with any steamed vegetable – diced carrots or peas would be great. Experiment with your favorites!

The perfect rice side dish does exist, and it’s super easy to make! The simple addition of a bay leaf and orange rind turns your basic side of rice into a special side, with hardly any extra effort!

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