Whenever I have an abundance of cheap oranges, I try to incorporate the juice into different dishes. Since I love both oranges and rice, it’s no surprise one of my favorites is this recipe for Jeweled Rice. It consists of rice, nuts, and fruit blended together into a perfect side dish. There are 3 components:

* Rice

Start by selecting the rice. It can be plain white, basmati, jasmine, or brown rice if you wanted to be extra healthy. Wild rice is also an option, but I find that it’s better when mixed with white rice rather than served alone.

* Nuts

Chopped pistachios and sliced almonds work best for Jeweled Rice, but if you have something else on hand, try it! Walnuts, pecans, etc.

* Fruit

If dried fruit is used, try raisins (regular or golden), cranberries, or apricots. For fresh, I love to use pineapple slivers or orange segments. The juice and zest can be used, too. I’m not into canned fruit, but it can be used.

To make Jeweled Rice, start by cooking the rice. Everyone is used to cooking rice on the stove, but did you know it can be made successfully in the microwave? When it’s hot out, I prefer it, rather than turning on the stove.

1 cup of dried rice should be mixed with 2 cups of water and 1 TBS of butter, oil, or margarine. Microwave on high for 15 minutes and let it rest for an additional 5 minutes. (Rice cooked this way is parve; broth can be substituted for a meat meal.)

When the rice is ready, add the fruit and nuts of your choosing. The measurements don’t need to be precise, but figure on at least 1/4 cup each. Add the orange juice last to moisten the dish, plus salt/pepper to taste.

Jeweled Rice pairs beautifully with chicken or fish. For a veggie, I suggest string beans or asparagus.

Do you like rice?