Honey Coconut Pilaf with Raisins
I don’t know about you all, but side dishes are always the hardest for me to make. I’m constantly trying to brainstorm the perfect side dish to compliment an entree so that it is creative and flavorful, but no so overpowering that it steals the show from the main course.
So I did a little experimenting in the kitchen and came up with this quick and delicious Moroccan inspired rice pilaf. With hints of honey and coconut for sweetness, nutmeg and cinnamon for contrast, and bites of plump, golden raisins in every bite, this side dish would pair perfectly with a Moroccan chicken or vegetarian chickpea dish, or stand out on it’s own.
Serves 2
Ingredients
-1 packet Kashi 7 Whole Grain Pilaf (or any whole grain of your choice ie: brown, basmati, etc)
-3 Tbsp. raisins
-2 Tbsp. unsweetened shredded coconut
-1 Tbsp. honey
-1 Tbsp. cinnamon
-1/2 Tbsp. nutmeg
Directions
Step 1: Bring 2 parts water to one part Kashi Pilaf to a boil on high heat
Step 2: Add rice to water, cover, reduce heat to medium and cook until all water is absorbed (~25 minutes)
Step 3: Add remaining ingredients (raisins, honey, coconut, spices) while rice still on heat and stir until all water is absorbed
Step 4: Serve and simply savor!
Product Review Alert!!
Kashi 7 Whole Grain Pilaf
Ingredients: KASHI SEVEN WHOLE GRAINS & SESAME® (WHOLE OATS, WHOLE LONG GRAIN BROWN RICE, WHOLE RYE, WHOLE HARD RED WINTER WHEAT, WHOLE TRITICALE, WHOLE BARLEY, WHOLE BUCKWHEAT, WHOLE SESAME SEEDS)
Nutritional Info:
Serving Size: 1/2 Cup cooked
Calories per serving: 170
Total fat: 2.5 g
Total Carb: 33g
Dietary Fiber: 6g
Sugars: 0g
Protein: 6g
Kristen’s taste: I’ve made this Kashi 7 Whole Grain Pilaf pilaf packet before with adding any additional ingredients and found it pretty bland. Needless to say, I was a little hesitant to use it for this recipe, but it was the only whole grain rice I had on hand. Luckily for me, it worked perfectly for my Honey Coconut Pilaf with Raisins recipe! The chewiness of the grains contrasted perfectly with the hint of sweetness from the coconut, honey and raisins. And the nutritionals are great—6 grams of filling-protein, and 6 grams of fiber is very hard to find in most grain products. To sum it up: on its own, I give this Kashi Pilaf a B-. Mixed with a few ingredients to spice it up, I give it a B+/A-
Question for you:
What’s your favorite way to spice up a side dish??
I think getting creative with spices is the best and healthiest way to add tons of flavor to any dish. I also add lemon juice, garlic or red wine vinegar for some added ooomph. 
Hope you are all enjoying your Labor Day weekend! What types of activities are you enjoying on your Monday off?
I just got back from my cousin’s wedding in Newport, Rhode Island. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend my 3 day weekend than being surrounded by all of my family members.
This looks really good! I’ve made coconut cilantro rice before using coconut milk (yummmmmm) but never using shredded coconut…great idea on the sweet addition! To umph up a dish I like to add spices as well (flava for no fat!) or sometimes wine, balsamic, and of course garlic too!
ooh love the idea of coconut milk, thanks stephanie!!
I am guilty of bland side dishes, I need to try and spice them up. I do make a lot of side salads and add things like dried fruit, nuts, and flavorful dressings made with different vinegars. The Orange Muscat from Trader Joe’s is great!
ooh dressings are a great way to add flavor. thanks for the TJ Orange Muscat suggestion–sounds great!
yumola! I love mixing raisins into savory dishes
raisins + cottage cheeeeese is amazing!
yessss i love that combo too (and pineapple+cottage cheese)!
This looks simple to make. Thanks Kristen, I’m going to look for this pilaf at the store this week or maybe use my brown rice I have.
The pilaf looks really yummy! I’ve also cooked rice in coconut milk, which ups the flavor a lot, and is a good base for sweeter dishes. I’ve made a cous cous by adding a mix of lime juice, mustard, and parsley, which is not so sweet but very refreshing.
that cous cous dish sounds great lisa! i’ve never tried making cous cous but will definitely check out this recipe when i do
this looks delicious! I agree, side dishes are hard to make and create because it must be not so heavy and supplement nutritionally the main course.
Q1:when I can’t think of anything special, I just use soy sauce, sugar and sesame oil to make a quick/easy stir-fry.
Q2: I just arrived US this morning and finished the ugly unpacking.
Looks just gorgeous! That kashi blend is so good and I bet the honey added just the right amount of sweet! Glad the wedding trip went well! We had a bbq at my Aunts house today
What a hearty and delicious side dish! I’ve never tried the Kashi 7 Whole Grain Pilaf, but now I think I might after your review. I really liked how you bulked up the flavor by adding raisins, coconut and honey. I’m so boring with sides – I usually just end up steaming broccoli or making plain brown rice cooked in chicken broth…BLAH!
My favorite way to spice up a side dish is to use herbs/spices like cumin, parsley, cilantro, thyme and marjoram. But I’ve been using dried fruit a lot recently, too.
yeah i’m always guilty of giving up on side dishes and just doing something boring, but meals always feel a little more special with a flavorful side dish!
I love any recipe with coconut in it!
I also love adding pureed butternut squash to rice
butternut squash–i would never think to add that, but what a great idea! thanks allison, i’ll have to try that out!
Kristen,
Thank you for reading and visiting my blog! I love your philosophy laid out on your “about page” and look forward to reading more!
I agree with the above poster–anything with coconut sounds delicious to me!
This recipe sounds fantastic.
That pilaf sounds delicious!! I’m sure adding some honey and raisins MAKE the dish!!
And hmmm, cinnamon is always my go-to spice with sweeter foods, and “dash” or “spike” is usually my go-to for more savory meals! Though I loveeeeed adding dill to my sandwiches this weekend! But of course, sriracha is also a favorite of mine. What can I say, I LOVE spicy foods!
i love dill with seafood but have never tried it with sandwiches! i’ve also never tried sriracha but i’m going to have to after all the good things i’ve heard about it
oooooooooooh Kristen – I love the flavor combination! Do you think you can send me a bowl of this for lunch
haha i’ll see what i can do…may have a tough time getting it through customs!
This recipe combines all my favorite ingredients and flavors. Well done! I will be trying this soon. Thanks for putting together this inspiring website, it’s beautifully done and has great ideas.
That sounds so good!
this side dish sounds so good! i love having sweet components with a savory dish.
Holy smokes. I am definitely going to make this dish!! I usually struggle with side dishes, too, but this sounds amazing!
What an experiment! Sounds great!
Holy moly dear, this looks fabulous. Throw some chicken, shrimp or tofu on there, and you go yourself a fabulous meal
.
I like to throw in dried fruit, grapes or feta into any type of grain really. It is my sweet tooth kicking in!
ooh i love the feta idea, thanks jenna!
This looks delicious! Side dishes are definitely hard for me as well, I’m going to try this one!
haha pretty soon you’re going to have to make a list of who to fed-ex this to
it looks amazing. i too struggle with sides but i think this will go on my list of what i need to try to make next!