Cape Malay Yellow Rice with Raisins

🧂 Ingredients

• 2 cups Basmati rice
• 1 teaspoon Ground turmeric
• 1 Cinnamon stick
• 60g (approx. 1/2 cup) Raisins
• 2 tablespoons Granulated sugar
• 30g (2 tablespoons) Unsalted butter
• 2.5 cups Water(Adjust slightly based on rice type and desired consistency.)
• 1 teaspoon Salt(Or to taste.)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1

   Melt the butter in a medium saucepan or pot over medium heat. Add the rinsed and drained Basmati rice and stir for 2-3 minutes until the grains are lightly coated in butter and smell slightly nutty. Be careful not to brown the rice.

   ⏱️ 3 minutes
2. 2

   Pour in the water, add the ground turmeric, cinnamon stick, salt, and sugar. Stir well to combine and ensure the turmeric is evenly distributed, giving the liquid a vibrant yellow hue.

   ⏱️ 2 minutes
3. 3

   Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Cover the pot tightly with a lid. Let the rice simmer gently for 20-25 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Avoid lifting the lid during this time to trap the steam.

   ⏱️ 20-25 minutes
4. 4

   Once the rice is cooked, remove the pot from the heat. Let it stand, covered, for another 5 minutes. Then, remove the cinnamon stick. Gently fold in the raisins using a fork. Fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains and ensure the raisins are evenly distributed. Serve hot, ideally as a side dish to bobotie or other savory dishes.

   ⏱️ 5 minutes

💡 Pro Tips

• ✓Rinsing the rice is crucial for removing excess starch, which prevents the grains from clumping together.
• ✓The vibrant yellow color comes from the turmeric, a key spice in Cape Malay cuisine.
• ✓Adjust sugar and salt to your preference to achieve the perfect sweet-savory balance.
• ✓Ensure your pot lid fits snugly to allow the rice to steam properly.

🔄 Variations

• Add a handful of toasted slivered almonds or flaked almonds along with the raisins for added texture.
• Increase the amount of raisins for a sweeter, more pronounced raisin flavor.

🥗 Nutrition

Per serving