Mediterranean Rice | Diethood

This Mediterranean rice takes white simple ol’ rice and turns it into one thing value writing house about. Cooked in savory inventory and loaded with heat, toasted spices, dried end result and nuts, and notes of sautéed garlic and onion, it’s the very best testomony to the area’s flavorful delicacies.

Simple and Flavorful Mediterranean Rice Recipe

Rice is a sexy common staple. Italian risotto, Spanish paella, Indian biryani, Macedonian lemon rice, West African jollof. There may be such a lot you’ll do with this apparently simple, delicate, white grain to show it into one thing odd, however this Mediterranean rice is one among my favorites. Infused with a myriad of spices and lots of textures, it delights the senses from the instant you scent it, to the instant you savor that final chew. Heat notes of toasted cinnamon, turmeric, and cumin mix well with garlic, onion, and broth. The rice is toasted somewhat, giving it a nutty taste that I simply can’t get sufficient of. End it off with toasted slivered almonds for some crunch and items of dried apricots and currants for simply the very best trace of sweetness.

If you happen to’ve been caught on simple and easy white rice cooked in water (possibly inventory on a excellent day), it’s time to damage from your rut. Do that scrumptious, strangely easy-to-make Mediterranean rice dish, and also you gained’t be sorry that you just did.

Why You’ll Love Mediterranean Rice

• Flavors. Between the heat of the cinnamon, cumin, and turmeric, the delicate sweetness of the dried fruit, and the savory of the inventory, onion, and garlic, this tasty aspect is going thus far past your standard rice dish.
• Amusing textures. I really like the crunch that the toasted almonds deliver to this yellow rice dish, at the side of the cushy bite of the apricots and currants.
• Visible enchantment. The turmeric turns this flavorful rice dish right into a deep, earthy orange this is deliciously inviting.
• Well being kick. The turmeric additionally delivers a hefty punch of anti inflammatory goodness.

Mediterranean Rice Substances

• Rice: You’ll want long-grained white rice right here. I used jasmine rice, however basmati would paintings fantastically as neatly. You might want to use brown rice as an alternative, simply word that it’s going to want extra time to cook dinner.
• Olive oil & Butter: For sauteeing the greens, seasonings, and rice.
• Onion & Garlic
• Salt & Pepper
• Spices: Turmeric, Cumin, Cinnamon.
• Hen or vegetable inventory
• White wine: You’ll be able to skip the wine if you happen to’d like and use extra inventory as an alternative.
• Currants: Raisins would additionally do the trick.
• Dried Apricots
• Slivered Almonds: You’ll be able to purchase them slivered or simply slice your personal. I like to recommend buying uncooked almonds because the recipe has you toast them your self, however if you happen to’re brief on time, cross forward and purchase pre-toasted slivered almonds.

Methods to Make Mediterranean Rice

Right here’s a snappy rundown of the best way to make Mediterranean rice. For extra thorough directions, scroll to the recipe card beneath.

1. Rinse the rice. Rinse the rice neatly underneath chilly water the use of a effective mesh strainer.
2. Sauté the veggies. Season and saute the onions within the butter and olive oil over medium-high warmth. As soon as translucent, upload the garlic and sauté till aromatic.
3. Toast the spices. Stir the turmeric, cumin, cinnamon, and pepper into the sauteed veggies and cook dinner for a minute or so, stirring steadily.
4. Toast the rice. Upload the rinsed rice to the pan and cook dinner for 1 to two mins, stirring steadily.
5. Deglaze the pan. Pour the white wine into the pan and let it evaporate. Stir within the inventory.
6. Cook dinner the rice. Convey the mix to a boil after which scale back the warmth to low. Quilt the pan, and cook dinner for quarter-hour.
7. Toast the almonds. Toast the almonds over medium warmth.
8. Put all of it in combination. Fluff the rice with a fork and fold within the currants, dried apricots, and toasted almonds.

Pointers & Permutations

Flawlessly execute this Mediterranean rice recipe through following those easy guidelines and methods. I even threw in some amusing permutations you’ll attempt to personalize on your style personal tastes.

• Don’t fail to remember to rinse the rice. Rinsing rice eliminates extra starch, which is able to lead the rice to clump and change into gummy when cooked.
• Toast your spices. Toasting spices intensifies their style and aroma and decreases uncooked, sour notes, making a deeply flavorful style.
• Toast the rice. Whilst you’ll technically do with out it, you shouldn’t skip this step. Toasting the rice provides a nutty taste to the dish.
• Go for do-it-yourself broth. Imagine making your personal vegetable or hen broth. Home made broth elevates the total style of this rice and lets you keep watch over the seasoning.
• Fluff the rice. It’s vital to present the rice a pleasing fluff with a fork as soon as it’s finished cooking. This may lend a hand stay it from clumping.
• Experiment with spices. I used cumin, turmeric, and cinnamon, however be happy so as to add some paprika for slightly spice or perhaps a little bit of saffron if you happen to’re feeling fancy.
• Upload veggies. Cut up some bell peppers and saute them with the onions and/or throw in some chopped Oven Roasted Asparagus or Sautéed Garlic Broccolini sooner than serving.
• Check out other end result and nuts. Imagine the use of raisins or cranberries rather than currants, or pine nuts as an alternative of almonds.
• Upload recent herbs. I really like including slightly recent parsley (or cilantro, if I’m within the temper) to my Mediterranean rice. The intense colour and taste actually take it excessive.

What to Serve with Mediterranean Rice

Methods to Retailer & Reheat Leftovers

• Fridge. Permit the rice to chill to room temperature sooner than sealing it in an hermetic container. Retailer it within the refrigerator for as much as 5 days.
• Freezer. As soon as the rice has cooled totally, seal it in a freezer-safe hermetic container and retailer it within the freezer for as much as 3 months. Permit it to thaw within the refrigerator sooner than reheating.
• To reheat. Warmth a dash of olive oil in a skillet over medium warmth and upload the rice. Saute till heated thru. However, pop your leftovers within the microwave. Warmth at 30-second periods till heated thru.

Extra Mediterranean Recipes To Check out

In search of extra distinctive, flavorful Mediterranean recipes to get you from your culinary rut? Listed here are a few of my different absolute favorites.