This colorful rice dish is chock full of nutrition, flavor and texture derived from carrots, raisins, crunchy sweet apples, green onion and even toasted sesame seed.

Apple Harvest Rice

1 cup thinly sliced carrots
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 1/4 cups water
3/4 cup apple juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup sliced green onions
2 cups cored, diced, unpeeled apples
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seed

1. Cook carrots in butter until tender crisp, about 5 minutes.
2. Add water, apple juice, lemon juice, brown sugar, salt, rice, cinnamon and raisins. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
3. Gently stir in green onions and apples; heat thoroughly.
4. Turn into serving dish. Top with sesame seed.

Makes 6 servings.

Recipe provided courtesy of USA Rice Federation.