Mushroom & Asparagus Rice Pilaf

This super simple side dish is a crowd pleaser!

Crispy vegetables and creamy rice bring it all together.

Friends, I've missed you!

Our lives have been a bit of a whirlwind {to the point of where I've hardly even cooked}, but I'm back and slowly things are getting put back in place.

Last Friday I dropped the kids off with one set of grandparents and the husband and I had two days to ourselves.  We had dinner with good friends one night and boated with another set of friends the next day.  The weather was beautiful!  Then on Sunday I headed to my parents {where the kids were} and spent an additional 3.5 days at their house.

I intentionally planned this.  I wanted to go to my parent's house without having an agenda.  They live 1.5 hours away so it often seems like we are only there for events {i.e. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, etc.}.  Can I tell you how nice it was to be there with no plans?

We spent oodles of time on their screened in porch and two days at the pool and consumed way too many delicious calories at their table.  I woke up slowly, dranks lots of coffee, read a whole book, went to a movie, consumed two slices of homemade apple pie, stayed up late and soaked in good quality time.

We packed up on Wednesday and then I promptly dropped the kids off at their OTHER set of grandparents {who also live 1.5 hours away - in a different direction} as they wanted them for a few days with their local fair in town.

I finally made it home, cleaned the house, did buckets of laundry and prepared a MEAL.  I had hardly remembered what a meal was, having snacked my way through the previous days and apparently the husband was feeling the same way as he had texted me earlier in the day and said, "this is the 3rd night in a row of microwaved brats for supper.  I'm ready for you to come home and cook!"

So I made burgers on the grill and this Mushroom & Asparagus Rice Pilaf.  I was feeling the need for a little greenery in my life.

People are always telling me that they need more ideas for side dishes.  They can easily whip up the main dish, but then they are lost when it comes to finding something to serve beside it.

THIS IS THE DISH.

I served it with burgers, but it can easily be served along side a steak, or grilled chicken or even just topped with sauteed shrimp.  And for my vegetarian readers {do I have any?}, it's perfect simply alone.  Just swap out the beef broth with vegetable broth.

I loved how hearty it tasted - compliments of the beef broth - plus the beefy mushrooms - it really is filling!

I also purposely served this while the kids were gone, as I have ONE child who hates mushrooms and ANOTHER child who hates asparagus.

So this meal would have been a double edged sword of whining, complaining and gagging noises at the dinner table.  And frankly I just wasn't in the mood for that nonsense.  The husband and I actually had a dinner in peace!

And since the hubby doesn't often read this blog I will also tell you that I had one small helping and he stood hovering over the stove with a wooden spoon inhaling the rest of the dish.

Are you one of those people who can eat leftover Chinese food cold and straight out of the carton the next day?  If you are, this rice pilaf works just the same.

Stand with the fridge door open and shovel in the leftovers.  No judging here.  

Share the love with this dish!

Yield: 4-6Author: Ally

Mushroom & Asparagus Rice Pilaf

This simple, 20 minute side dish is full of flavor! Beefy mushrooms, crisp asparagus and creamy, fluffy rice come together quick to complement any meal.

prep time: 5 minscook time: 15 minstotal time: 20 mins

ingredients

• 1 bunch asparagus, the ends trimmed and discarded, cut into 2 inch pieces
• 5-6 fresh button mushrooms, sliced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1/2 cup white rice
• 1/4 cup beef broth (or chicken can be used)
• 2 T.  butter
• 1 t. garlic powder
• 1 t. salt
• 1 t. pepper
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• non-stick cooking spray, to coat the skillet

instructions

1. Heat a large, rimmed skillet to medium heat and coat with cooking spray.
2. Prep the asparagus, mushrooms and onions.  Saute the onions for a few minutes until tender.  Then add in the asparagus and mushrooms, continuing to stir/saute until slightly tender.
3. When the veggies are tender, add in the garlic powder, salt, pepper and butter.  Stirring to combine.
4. Add in the rice and beef broth and stir.  Place a lid on the skillet and turn the heat to LOW.  Let this mixture cook for 15 minutes.
5. Stir and check and see if the rice is fully cooked, if not give it a few more minutes.  Serve warm, topped with sliced almonds.

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