One-Pan Rice Dish with Mushrooms and Chestnuts is a Holiday Hit

Clinical dietitian and culinary content creator Alona Eckerling shared her popular one-pan rice dish featuring mushrooms and chestnuts, a recipe she has been perfecting for years. Eckerling will be serving this dish to approximately 25 family members during the upcoming holiday gathering at her parents' home. The meal will also include her 95-year-old grandmother, Shoshana Eckerling, who recently became a great-grandmother for the third time, along with her three young great-granddaughters.

Eckerling describes the dish as festive and rich in flavor, yet simple to prepare, making it ideal for large holiday meals. The "all-in-one-pan" method allows the oven to do most of the work. She noted that the rice dish has become a highly anticipated part of their family's holiday table.

The recipe, suitable for 12 servings, requires basic ingredients including basmati or jasmine rice, olive oil, mushrooms, pre-cooked chestnuts, onion, garlic, soy sauce, silan (date syrup), and boiling water. Preparation involves combining all ingredients in a baking dish, covering it tightly, and baking for about 50 minutes, or until the rice absorbs the liquid. For a crispier texture, the foil can be removed for the last 5 minutes of baking, with an optional drizzle of silan.

Tips for customization include adding or substituting vegetables and other additions. The dish can also be prepared mostly in advance and reheated before serving. Garnishes like parsley, green onions, or roasted mushrooms can be added just before serving. The recipe is kosher and vegan, with a preparation time of 10 minutes and a total time of 60 minutes.