Tis the season for pumpkin....

It's fall, which means it is time for all things PUMPKIN!!!!!  I have been bitten by the pumpkin bug!!!  I have been looking up so many recipes that have pumpkin as the main ingredient.  I promise to only post festive pumpkin recipes that will appease the appetite, as well as your waist line!  This recipe is for all of my lactose intolerant friends  ; )  It yields risotto like results w/o the lactose results in your tummy!

First up  ~  Creamy Pumpkin Brown Rice.  I made this yesterday and it was oh so good! 

Creamy Pumpkin Brown Rice  

(Serves 8 to 10 or 1 hungry girl for a few days, reheated of course!)

Ingredients

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 white or yellow onion, chopped
2 cups uncooked brown basmati rice
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin purée
6 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
3 bay leaves (or if you are like me and don't use a lot of bay, 3 tbsp. of basil will do)
Salt and pepper to taste

Method

In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, 7 to 8 minutes. Add rice and stir to coat with oil. Toast rice, stirring often, until fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes more. Meanwhile, whisk together pumpkin purée and broth in a large bowl.

Stir broth mixture and bay leaves into pot, season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low, cover and cook, stirring occasionally to keep rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot, until liquid is absorbed and rice is cooked through and creamy, about 45 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and serve immediately.

*This is a great warm, healthy, and budget friendly meal to make on a Sunday (or any day that you are free) and will last you a few days.  According to Livestrong.com, basmati has the highest content of all rice for amino acids and essential nutrients.  Basmati is a good source of complex carbohydrates, providing energy for the brain and central nervous system.  For more nutritional information on brown basmati rice, I encourage you to visit the link above. 

Enjoy pumpkin season! 

~ Knife Out