Nut-Free Traditional Arabic Rice
Experience the comforting flavors of the Middle East with this Nut-Free Traditional Arabic Rice recipe, a perfect aromatic dish crafted with soft basmati rice, golden raisins, and warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and turmeric. This dish, free of nuts but rich in flavor, is enhanced by caramelized onions and the subtle sweetness of plumped raisins, making it both hearty and vibrant. Easy to prepare, this recipe requires only 10 minutes of prep time and serves as a versatile side, pairing beautifully with roasted meats, savory stews, or grilled vegetables. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for an optional garnish, it’s an ideal choice for weeknight dinners or festive celebrations. Perfectly balanced and simple to create, this nut-free take on traditional Arabic rice offers an authentic taste without the allergens.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Basmati rice
- 3 cups Water
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 medium Yellow onion
- 0.5 teaspoons Ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoons Ground cardamom
- 0.5 teaspoons Turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoons Salt
- 0.5 cups Golden raisins
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming sticky.
Soak the rinsed rice in room-temperature water for 20 minutes, then drain and set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized pot over medium heat.
Peel and finely slice the yellow onion. Add the sliced onion to the pot and sauté until golden brown and caramelized, about 8-10 minutes.
Stir in the ground cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, and salt, and let the spices toast for 1 minute to release their aroma.
Add the drained rice to the pot and stir gently to coat the grains with the spice mixture.
Pour in the 3 cups of water and bring the mixture to a boil. Once it boils, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, turn off the heat but leave the pot covered. Allow the rice to rest for an additional 10 minutes to finish cooking through steam.
While the rice is resting, place the golden raisins in a small bowl and cover them with hot water for 5 minutes to plump them up. Drain the raisins and set aside.
Fluff the rice gently with a fork and fold in the drained golden raisins.
Serve the rice warm, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy as a side to roasted meats, stews, or vegetables.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1151 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 44.1 g | 57% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.2 g | 36% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2412 mg | 105% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 175.7 g | 64% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.8 g | 28% | |
| Total Sugars | 57.6 g | ||
| Protein | 18.2 g | 36% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 178 mg | 14% | |
| Iron | 9.1 mg | 51% | |
| Potassium | 945 mg | 20% | |
*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.
