This Mary Berry Bay and Lemon Brown Rice is a light and fragrant recipe, which includes brown rice and fresh lemon zest. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, ready in about 30 minutes.
Mary Berry Bay and Lemon Brown Rice Ingredients
- 200g (7oz) long grain brown rice
- Knob of butter
- 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
- 500ml (18fl oz) vegetable stock
- Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
- 4 bay leaves
How To Make Mary Berry Bay and Lemon Brown Rice
- Wash the Rice: Rinse the rice under cold water, drain, and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Heat butter in a lidded saucepan over high heat. Add garlic and fry for 1 minute.
- Coat the Rice: Stir in the rice to coat in the butter, frying for 1 more minute.
- Simmer the Rice: Add vegetable stock, lemon zest, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil.
- Cook Gently: Cover with a lid, reduce heat, and simmer gently for about 25 minutes until the stock is absorbed.
- Fluff and Serve: Remove bay leaves and fluff the rice before serving.
Recipe Tips
- How to make ahead: You can cook this up to 6 hours in advance. Reheat gently in the oven with buttered paper on top.
- Can I use white rice instead? Yes, but adjust the cooking time and reduce liquid slightly.
- What’s the purpose of bay leaves? They add subtle aromatic depth to the rice.
- Can I add herbs or veggies? Yes—chopped parsley or sautéed onions make great additions.
- Freezer-friendly? No, this dish isn’t suitable for freezing.
What To Serve With Bay and Lemon Brown Rice
This rice is a perfect base for savory dishes. Serve it with:
- Grilled lamb chops or Rugby Lamb
- Roasted chicken or turkey
- Spiced vegetable curry
- Pan-fried fish
- Sauteed greens or a side salad
How To Store Bay and Lemon Brown Rice
Refrigerate: Cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Reheat: Gently reheat in the oven or microwave with a splash of water to prevent drying.
Do Not Freeze: Texture and flavor change too much after freezing.
Bay and Lemon Brown Rice Nutrition Facts
- Calories: ~220 kcal per serving
- Fat: ~4g
- Carbs: ~38g
- Fiber: ~3g
- Protein: ~4g
- Sodium: ~300mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I make this rice in a rice cooker?
Yes—just use the same proportions of liquid and rice and skip the sauté step.
Why does brown rice take longer to cook?
It retains its outer bran layer, which takes more time to soften than white rice.
Can I use lemon juice instead of zest?
Zest provides more concentrated flavor, but juice can be added at the end for brightness.
Is this rice dish spicy?
No, it’s a mild, lemon-scented side dish.
Mary Berry Bay and Lemon Brown Rice
Description
A fragrant and fluffy brown rice recipe scented with lemon and bay leaves, ideal as a light side for hearty mains.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Rinse rice and drain.
- Sauté garlic in butter for 1 minute.
- Add rice, stir to coat.
- Pour in stock, lemon zest, bay leaves.
- Simmer with lid for 25 minutes.
- Fluff and serve hot.
Notes
- Make ahead and reheat in oven
- Not freezer-friendly
- Great with lamb, chicken, or fish