Eritrean Vegetable Rice Pilaf
A fragrant and flavorful rice dish cooked with a medley of vegetables and aromatic spices, offering a delightful vegetarian option that complements traditional Eritrean stews or can be enjoyed as a standalone meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 cups Basmati rice(rinsed well)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1 medium Onion(finely chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 medium Carrots(diced)
- 1 cup Green beans(trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 1 cup Peas(frozen or fresh)
- 1 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 tsp Cumin powder
- 0.5 tsp Cinnamon powder
- 4 cups Vegetable broth
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground, or to taste)
- 0.5 cup Almonds(slivered, toasted for garnish (optional))
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Rinse the basmati rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.
- 2
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- 3
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 4
Stir in the diced carrots and green beans. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 5
Add the rinsed basmati rice to the pot. Stir well to coat each grain of rice with oil and vegetables. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to lightly toast the rice.
- 6
Stir in the turmeric, cumin, and cinnamon powders. Cook for another minute until the spices are fragrant.
- 7
Pour in the vegetable broth and add salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- 8
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed. Do not lift the lid during this time.
- 9
Once cooked, let the rice stand, covered, for 5-10 minutes off the heat. Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Stir in the peas (if using frozen, they will thaw from the residual heat).
- 10
Garnish with toasted slivered almonds, if desired. Serve hot.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the rice is rinsed very well to remove excess starch, which helps prevent stickiness.
- ✓Using vegetable broth instead of water adds more depth of flavor.
- ✓Adjust the spice levels to your preference.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like diced bell peppers, cauliflower florets, or corn.
- For a richer flavor, a tablespoon of butter can be added with the oil at the beginning.
- Incorporate some cooked chickpeas or lentils for added protein.