Brown Rice Pilaf with Green Olives and Lemon

• HEALTHY
• VEGETARIAN

Ingredients

1. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2. 2 medium onions, finely chopped
3. 6 garlic cloves, minced
4. 10 cups water
5. 3 cups short-grain brown rice
6. 1 thyme sprig
7. 1 bay leaf
8. Kosher salt
9. 1 1/2 cups pitted small green olives, halved (6 ounces)
10. 1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
11. 1/4 cup chopped basil, plus 24 basil leaves for garnish
12. 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
13. 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
14. Freshly ground pepper
15. 4 ounces aged goat cheese, shaved with a vegetable peeler

1. In a large saucepan, heat the 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the onions and garlic and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 8 minutes. Add the water, rice, thyme and bay leaf and bring to a boil for 1 minute. Remove from the heat, cover and let stand for 30 minutes.
2. Stir 1 tablespoon of salt into the rice. Cover and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until most of the water has been absorbed, about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat; discard the bay leaf and thyme. Stir in the olives, parsley, chopped basil, lemon juice and lemon zest and season with salt and pepper. Spoon the rice into bowls. Drizzle with olive oil and garnish with the goat cheese and basil leaves; serve.