Name: Crispy Rice & Caramelized Vegetable Skillet
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1½ cups long-grain white rice; 3 cups water; salt; 1 medium yellow onion; 2 medium carrot; 1 medium bell pepper; 8 ounces mushrooms; 3 cloves garlic; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar; 1 tablespoon butter; black pepper

Crispy Rice & Caramelized Vegetable Skillet

weeknightvegetariancomfort-food

15 minPrep25 minCook4Serves

Ingredients

1½ cupslong-grain white rice
3 cupswater
·salt
1 mediumyellow onion
2 mediumcarrot
1 mediumbell pepper
8 ouncesmushrooms
3 clovesgarlic
3 tablespoonsolive oil
2 tablespoonssoy sauce
1 tablespoonbalsamic vinegar
1 tablespoonbutter
·black pepper

Prep

01
Dice 1 medium yellow onion into bite-sized pieces.
02
Cut 2 medium carrots into 1/4-inch rounds or half-moons.
03
Dice 1 medium bell pepper into 1/2-inch pieces.
04
Slice 8 ounces mushrooms into 1/4-inch thick pieces.
05
Mince 3 cloves garlic.

Method

01
Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a medium pot. Add rice and 1/2 teaspoon salt, stir, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 18 minutes until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
02
While rice cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot, and bell pepper. Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften and edges turn golden. Season with salt and pepper.
03
Push vegetables to the side of the skillet. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the center, then add mushrooms. Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms release their liquid and turn golden brown.
04
Combine mushrooms with other vegetables. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05
Pour in soy sauce and balsamic vinegar, stirring to coat all vegetables. Cook for 1 minute.
06
Add cooked rice to the skillet along with butter. Stir gently until rice is warmed through and everything is combined, about 2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

Spice Tips

For warmth, add 1/4 teaspoon white pepper or a dash of sesame oil in the final step. For heat, stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic. A squeeze of fresh lime juice brightens the whole dish.

Leftovers keep well in the fridge for 3 days and reheat beautifully in a skillet with a splash of water. For extra protein, stir in a beaten egg or two at the end, or top with a fried egg.