Pine Nut and Basil Rice

Ingredients

• Salt
• Water
• Pepper
• Pine nuts

Directions

1. Set a 1 1/2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, add the pine nuts to the oil, and cook them, stirring now and then, until they’re golden, about 2 minutes. Lift them out with a slotted spoon and move them to a bowl.
2. Add the rice to the oil left in the pan. Cook it over moderately low heat, stirring, for 1 minute.
3. Pour in the water and bring it to a boil. Cover the pan, turn the heat down very low, and cook until the rice is tender and the water has been taken up, about 18 minutes.
4. Take the pan off the heat and leave the rice covered and undisturbed for 5 minutes.
5. Finely chop the basil. Fluff the rice with a fork, then fold in the basil, the toasted pine nuts, and salt and pepper to taste.