Rice Pilaf with Dried Apricots and Almonds

Dried apricots are fat-free and packed with nutrients that are good for blood pressure and help to control cholesterol.

They contain lycopene, potassium, beta-carotene and pectin – plus they are a rich source of iron too. The drying process may rob them of some vitamin C but it more than makes up for it with these extra nutritional benefits.

Apricots are also low in sodium which makes them perfect for including as part of a blood-pressure busting diet.

When it comes to selecting dried apricots make sure you go for the organic variety since these won’t have been exposed to sulfur dioxide – a process that makes them retain their orange color. Organic apricots are a brown color, and as well as being healthier – they are tastier.

Ingredients

• 12 dried apricot halves
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup long grain rice
• 1 tbs margarine
• ¼ tsp cardamom
• Pinch salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 2 ½ cups reduced sodium vegetable broth
• ½ cup raisins
• 1/3 cup toasted almonds
• Fresh rosemary sprigs to garnish

Instructions

• Chop apricots into small slices.
• Melt the margarine in a non-stick saucepan and add onion, rice, cardamom and seasoning.
• Cook over a medium heat for 8 minutes.
• Stir in the broth, almonds raisins and apricots and bring to a simmer, reducing heat to low.
• Cover pan and leave until broth is absorbed, about 20 minutes then remove from heat and leave to stand for 5 minutes.
• Fluff up with a fork and garnish with the rosemary sprigs.

We collected dozens of great heart healthy recipes for you – Here they are…