Pineapple Rice
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This week’s recipes are about keeping your kitchen cool—no oven involved! We will prepare all the recipes using the stovetop, crock pot, and microwave. Today’s recipe is a side dish of pineapple rice to accompany the Hawaiian grilled chicken I shared last Friday. However, the remaining recipes this week will all be main dishes.
This rice recipe is the perfect complement to Hawaiian grilled chicken. It would also go well with shrimp or chicken recipes with that tropical flair or sweetness from pineapple. You could even mix in some shredded coconut for added texture and an added taste of sweetness if you’d like.
Now, I liked the amount of pineapple in the rice, but some of my family said it was too much. So you can play with that amount if you’d like. For me, you can never have too much pineapple.
Ingredients to Make Pineapple Rice
- CANNED PINEAPPLE TIDBITS
- LONG GRAIN RICE
- SALT
- GREEN ONIONS
How to Make Pineapple Rice
Measure the reserved pineapple juice from the canned pineapple. Add enough water to the pineapple juice to total 1 3/4 cups of liquid.
In a medium saucepan, combine the pineapple juice mixture, rice, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for 18 minutes or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. It’s okay if there is a small amount of liquid left.
Add the diced pineapple to the cooked rice. Fluff the rice with a fork, mixing in the pineapple at the same time. Cover the pan and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the pineapple to warm up.
Add the finely chopped green onion to the rice. Fluff the rice again with a fork, mixing in the green onion.
Enjoy this delightful and easy-to-make rice as a perfect side dish for your favorite meals!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned pineapple?
Yes, you can use fresh pineapple. However, since fresh pineapple doesn’t have juice, you will need to use a mix of water and pineapple juice (store-bought) to get the required 1 3/4 cups of liquid.
What type of rice works best for this recipe?
Long-grain white rice is typically used for pineapple rice, but you can also use jasmine rice, basmati rice, or even brown rice. Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary with different types of rice.
Can I make pineapple rice in a rice cooker?
Yes, you can make pineapple rice in a rice cooker. Simply add the pineapple juice mixture, rice, and salt to the rice cooker and cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once the rice is cooked, add the pineapple and green onion, then fluff and serve.
How can I add more flavor to the pineapple rice?
You can add more flavor by sautéing some garlic and ginger in the saucepan before adding the liquid and rice. Additionally, you can stir in a bit of soy sauce, coconut milk, or shredded coconut for a different twist. Cilantro would also be a tasty swap for the green onion.
Can I add other ingredients to the pineapple rice?
Absolutely! This rice pairs well with various ingredients such as bell peppers, peas, carrots, cashews, or even cooked shrimp or chicken. Add these ingredients during the cooking process or mix them in after the rice is cooked.
FOR MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS, TRY:
Pineapple Rice
Real Mom Kitchen
Ingredients
- 20 oz can pineapple tidbits drained and juice reserved
- ¾ cups uncooked long grain rice
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 diced green onions
Instructions
- Take your reserved pineapple juice and add enough water to get 1 3/4 cups of liquid.
- In a medium sauce pan, combine the liquid, rice, and salt.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Simmer for 18 minutes until rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. It is ok to have a very small amount of liquid in the rice.
- Add the pineapple to the rice. Fluff the rice with a fork, mixing in the pineapple at the same time. Cover and let sit for a few minutes to warm up the pineapple.
- Add the green onion to the rice and fluff again with a fork while mixing in the green onion. Serve. Makes 6 servings.
Nutrition
Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens.
