Seasoned Oven-Baked Brown Rice

During the SNAP challenge I shared with you my favorite way to cook brown rice. It is still my favorite way to cook brown rice, but I have jazzed it up a bit in this recipe. I've made it twice for Nana and twice it has disappeared! This is my new favorite rice to serve as a side dish.

This recipe is open to modifications. I use staple seasonings that go well with a variety of dishes whether it's chicken or pork or even fish. You could easily add other spices to better match the flavors of the rest of your meal (for instance, dill weed would pair well with fish) so don't be afraid to experiment a bit.

Seasoned Oven-Baked Brown Rice

Source: Adapted from Our Best Bites

1 1/2 cups brown rice
2 1/3 cups water
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp parsley flakes
2 tsp oil or butter (optional)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and spray an 8x8 baking dish with vegetable oil spray.

Pour the rice into the baking dish.

In a small bowl combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and parsley.

Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over the rice and drizzle the olive oil over it (if you're using butter you can just toss it in since it will melt and disperse as the rice cooks). Heat the water either on the stove or in the microwave until just boiling. Pour the water over the rice.

Cover with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.

Remove the rice from the oven and fluff with a fork, then cover with a clean kitchen towel and let sit for 5 minutes. Remove the towel and let sit uncovered for 5 more minutes.

You can serve it right away with practically anything...

...or you can pack it up in the fridge for later.