Apple Almond Rice

This is a nutty rice with a kick and a sweetness that's an alternative to cinnamon apples for accompanying pork entrees.

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cups water
• 1 cup apple cider
• 1 cup golden raisins
• 0.25 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 ¼ cups jasmine rice
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 Granny Smith apple - peeled, cored, and diced
• 1 small sweet onion, diced
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 0.25 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 0.125 teaspoon salt
• 1 dash ground cinnamon
• 0.25 cup blanched slivered almonds

Steps

1. Combine water, apple cider, and golden raisins in a pot. Bring to a boil; add rice. Cook, stirring often, until most of the water is absorbed, about 17 minutes. Mix in white sugar, brown sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon; continue cooking until rice is tender, about 3 minutes more. Remove from heat.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir apple, onion, and celery in the hot oil until softened, about 5 minutes. Season with white pepper, salt, and a dash of cinnamon. Stir in almonds; cook until starting to brown, 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Fold apple and almond mixture into rice. Let stand until flavors combine, about 5 minutes.