Flavorful Rice
Elevate your dinner table with this irresistible recipe for Flavorful Rice, a vibrant and aromatic dish brimming with hearty vegetables, warm spices, and fluffy basmati rice. Perfect as a comforting side or a satisfying stand-alone meal, this recipe combines the earthy richness of ground cumin, turmeric, and smoked paprika with the freshness of diced carrots and peas. The secret lies in sautéing finely chopped onion and garlic to release their savory depth before simmering everything together to perfection. With just 10 minutes of prep time and 25 minutes to cook, you’ll create a wholesome, beautifully spiced dish garnished with fresh cilantro for a pop of color and flavor. Ideal for weeknight dinners or meal prep, this quick and easy rice recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Keywords: flavorful rice recipe, spiced basmati rice, easy rice side dish, vegetable rice recipe, quick vegetarian meals.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small (finely chopped) onion
- 2 cloves (minced) garlic
- 1 medium (diced) carrot
- 0.5 cup frozen peas
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons (chopped, optional for garnish) fresh cilantro
Instructions
Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then soak it in water for 15 minutes.
While the rice soaks, heat the olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion to the saucepan and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic, diced carrot, ground cumin, ground turmeric, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Drain the soaked rice and add it to the saucepan, stirring gently to coat it with the spices and oil.
Pour in 2 cups of water, then add the frozen peas, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
After 15 minutes, turn off the heat and let the rice rest, covered, for an additional 5 minutes to allow the steam to finish cooking it.
Fluff the rice gently with a fork and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, if desired.
Serve warm as a flavorful side dish or enjoy on its own!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
163 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 7.3 g | 9% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.2 g | 6% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 504 mg | 22% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 22.1 g | 8% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.3 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.6 g | ||
| Protein | 3.1 g | 6% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 44 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 1.4 mg | 8% | |
| Potassium | 178 mg | 4% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
