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Home » HEALTHY RECIPES » Main dish » Perfect Brown Rice Risotto with Pumpkins

Perfect Brown Rice Risotto with Pumpkins

by Githu

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This perfect brown rice risotto with pumpkins is both nutritious, comforting, delicious and so satisfying. The nutritional yeast gives the cheesy taste add some lemon to that to makes this risotto recipe absolutely perfect!

brown rice risotto with pumpkin

I haven't yet found whole arborio rice! and while the white arborio rice will make a creamy risotto due to its high content in starch called mylopectin, this rice can also increase your inflammation!

So enjoy this rather chewy risotto version with whole short-grain brown rice which has a low glycemic index.

It's delicious and creamy especially if you add nutritional yeast. This brown rice risotto has less carbs compared to the classic risotto, so it's perfect if you're following a weight loss diet.

While pumpkins have a high GI, they, however, have a low glycemic load (GL).

This perfect brown rice risotto with pumpkins recipe is surely going to be your favorite I promise you, you'll not miss the classic risotto anymore!

What's the best rice for risotto?

White arborio rice will definitely give you a creamy starchy risotto, this is due to its high content in starch known as amylopectin. This makes arborio rice soften during cooking thus thickening the sauce.

You can also use other types of rice like carnaroli and vialone nano.

But for healthier options, substitute with brown short-grain, or any whole brown rice for a healthy risotto.

Ingredients for brown rice risotto with pumpkins

How to cook a perfect brown rice risotto

cooking brown rice risotto

Cooking a perfect risotto can be challenging when using arborio white rice, but you'll succeed with this brown rice risotto, of course, it'll take longer time than white arborio rice, but doesn't call for stirring as the classic risotto does.

  • Consider frying your brown rice in some onions and spices like curry. This will give you a spicy colorful risotto.
  • Bron rice risotto has more flavor when made with a broth. Using vegetable homemade broth will enhance the taste, making your brown rice risotto super delicious.
  • This risotto recipe will take a longer time to cook, unlike processed rice. However, you can largely reduce the cooking time by soaking your brown rice for at least 12 hours, the longer the better.
  • The other tip is to cook your risotto in a large-hard based pan/ saucepan, This ensures enough space for each grain to cook. 
  • Once you add the hot broth or boiling water, you will leave the risotto to simmer without your presence. 
  • At the end of cooking, add diced pumpkins and stir. If you add pumpkins at the beginning, they'll overcook and be pureed.
  • Finish by adding nutritional yeast to add more flavor and to make this brown risotto creamy.

Don't overcook brown rice risotto 

cooked whole rice risotto with pumpkins

Don't overcook your brown rice! overcooking increases the glycemic index which will spike your blood sugar levels hence increasing your inflammation.

Yes, you might find this brown rice risotto hard compared to white risotto, but my kids said it is perfect and they love it chewy. 

Eating al dente (still firm) brown risotto will make you chew for long thus reducing the amount of food you eat, a perfect comfort recipe for weight loss. So, in the end, it's a win-win risotto recipe.

I am eager to read your comments, go ahead, make this recipe and let me know how it turns out for you.

Pin, share this recipe please, and enjoy your brown rice risotto.

My love to you, Githu.

brown rice risotto with pumpkin
brown rice risotto with pumpkins
Print Recipe
5 from 12 votes

Perfect brown rice risotto with pumpkins

This perfect brown rice risotto with pumpkins is both nutritious, comforting, delicious and so satisfying. The nutritional yeast gives the cheesy taste add lemon to that to makes this risotto recipe absolutely perfect!
Prep Time3 mins
Cook Time1 hr
soaking time12 hrs
Total Time13 hrs 3 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: anti-inflammatory
Keyword: brown rice risotto, risotto recipe, risotto with pumpkins
Servings: 4 people
Calories:
Author: Githu
Cost: 5€

Equipment

  • large hard-based pan or sauce-pan

Ingredients

  • 2 cups short-grain rice
  • 1 medium red onion/ 2 small ones
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 1 small piece of ginger
  • 1 root of turmeric
  • 2 tablespoon cold-pressed oil
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 5 cups hot vegetable broth or boiling water
  • 3 cups diced pumpkin, like acorn
  • fresh thyme or herbs of your choice
  • 5 tablespoon nutritional yeast as much you'd use if using some cheese
  • ground black pepper
  • 1 lemon

Instructions

  • Rinse and soak your brown rice for at least 12 hrs, the longer the better
  • 1 hr before cooking, drain and rinse your rice and leave it to drain all the water
  • Grate the ginger, garlic, and turmeric
  • Put them in a large pan then add oil and stir. Cover and let them cook for 5 mins at medium-high heat
  • Add the ground turmeric, stir and add the drained rice with some of the thyme, stir well cover and let it cook for 5 mins for the rice to absorb the spices
  • Add salt then add 4 cups of the hot broth. Stir, cover and bring the heat to moderate-high
  • Simmer for 30 mins
  • During that time chop the pumpkins keeping the skin into small equal sizes
  • Dice the onions and keep aside, get the thyme leaves for garnishing
  • After the 30 mins, add the pumpkins and the remaining cup of broth, it should be hot, stir and cover to cook for 10 mins
  • The rice should remain firm, cut off the heat, add onions and cover for 10 mins
  • Now add the pepper and thyme of which you'll have removed the stem
  • Before serving, add nutritional yeast, squeeze the lemon and add the juice, adjust the seasoning and fold everything delicately
  • Enjoy your perfect brown rice risotto, thank you for pinning and sharing. love you.

Notes

You might want to use long grain rice like basmati, just note that the texture will not be the same. 
Whole basmati rice cooks rather fast like in this pilau recipe, it' ll not give the creaminess like the short-grain rice.
However, I do love basmati's more pronounced flavor.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Laura

    October 30, 2020 at 11:47 am

    5 stars
    Great way to use up the extra pumpkin. It's delicious.

    Reply
    • Githu

      October 31, 2020 at 10:53 am

      Thank you, and a good way too to make kids eat pumpkins, lol

      Reply
  2. Sue

    October 30, 2020 at 12:20 pm

    5 stars
    I love that you use brown rice for this risotto, so healthy!

    Reply
  3. jill

    October 30, 2020 at 2:57 pm

    5 stars
    This risotto looks so beautiful and healthy too!

    Reply
    • Githu

      October 31, 2020 at 10:52 am

      You are right Jill, this risotto is healthy since is made with whole rice. Thank you so much

      Reply
  4. Emily Flint

    October 30, 2020 at 3:26 pm

    5 stars
    This risotto recipe sounds so good with this combination of flavors. And I love that it is good for you too!

    Reply
  5. Leslie

    October 30, 2020 at 5:19 pm

    5 stars
    What a great way to incorporate the pumpkin flavor! I'm' loving this!

    Reply
  6. Alexandra

    October 30, 2020 at 10:57 pm

    5 stars
    We love risotto, and this is delicious. Such a great idea to use brown rice!

    Reply
  7. Audrey

    October 31, 2020 at 12:04 am

    5 stars
    Delicious & nourishing!

    Reply
  8. Chef Dennis

    October 31, 2020 at 4:06 am

    5 stars
    I bet the neighborhood can hear my tummy growling right now!

    Reply
  9. Mama Maggie's Kitchen

    October 31, 2020 at 9:07 am

    5 stars
    It looks delicious. I wish this were in front of me right now.

    Reply
    • Githu

      October 31, 2020 at 10:51 am

      Thank you Maggie.

      Reply
  10. Connie

    October 31, 2020 at 6:31 pm

    5 stars
    Oh my! Love the creaminess of this rice dish. The pumpkin is just perfect for this time of the year.

    Reply
  11. Debra

    November 03, 2020 at 1:15 am

    5 stars
    I've never soaked rice before cooking. Loved the texture. great recipe.

    Reply
  12. A

    January 08, 2023 at 4:12 am

    5 stars
    My kids loved this, thank you! I added fresh corn (shaved from the cob) at the same time as the pumpkin, and called it “golden rice” - no questions asked as to what makes it golden and devoured with gusto 🙂

    Reply
    • Githu

      January 09, 2023 at 7:26 am

      That's amazing! Fresh corn added sweetness takes your risotto to the next level! Thank you so much for making this recipe and giving your review; I appreciate it. Many blessings.

      Reply

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Hi, I am Githu, Certified Holistic Health & Nutrition Coach and Food as Medicine.

I create Simple Healthy Recipes for you that are whole plant-based, vegan, and gluten-free. Perfect for weight loss, these recipes are anti-inflammatory. They will help you heal your body from within.

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