Persian Jeweled Rice: A Delightful Taste Journey! Recipe

Introduction

Persian Jeweled Rice is a vibrant and fragrant dish that combines aromatic spices, colorful dried fruits, and crunchy nuts. This stunning rice dish offers a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors that make every bite a celebration. Perfect for special occasions or to elevate any meal.

Ingredients

• 2 cups basmati rice
• 4 cups water
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds
• 1/2 cup pistachios, chopped
• 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in water for 30 minutes, then drain.
2. Step 2: In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the soaked rice and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the rice is al dente. Drain the rice and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same pot, melt the butter and vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Step 4: Stir in the cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, and salt. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
5. Step 5: Layer half of the cooked rice over the onion mixture in the pot. Sprinkle half of the dried apricots, raisins, almonds, and pistachios over the rice. Add the remaining rice on top, followed by the rest of the dried fruits and nuts.
6. Step 6: Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and cook on low heat for 30-40 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the rice to steam.
7. Step 7: Once done, remove from heat and let it sit for 10 minutes before fluffing the rice with a fork.
8. Step 8: Gently fold in the pomegranate seeds, parsley, orange zest, and lemon zest before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use saffron dissolved in a tablespoon of warm water for an added luxurious aroma and color.
• Substitute pistachios with walnuts or cashews for a different nutty flavor.
• Toast the nuts lightly before adding to enhance their crunch and aroma.
• For a vegan version, replace butter with additional vegetable oil or coconut oil.

Storage

Store leftover jeweled rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, sprinkle a little water over the rice and warm gently in a covered pan or microwave to retain moisture. Avoid overcooking on reheating to keep the grains separate.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use another type of rice for this recipe?

Basmati rice is preferred for its fragrance and fluffy texture, but long-grain rice can be a substitute. Avoid short-grain rice as it tends to be sticky and may change the dish’s texture.

How can I make this dish ahead of time?

You can prepare the rice and fruit mixture up to the final steaming step, then refrigerate before cooking. When ready, steam the layered rice on low heat for 30-40 minutes as instructed. This helps the flavors develop while saving time on the day of serving.

Persian Jeweled Rice: A Delightful Taste Journey! Recipe

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4.7 from 61 reviews

Persian Jeweled Rice is a fragrant and colorful dish that combines basmati rice with a medley of dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices. This traditional Persian recipe features aromatic cinnamon, cardamom, and turmeric, beautifully paired with sweet apricots, raisins, and crunchy almonds and pistachios, accented by fresh pomegranate seeds and citrus zest to create a festive and flavorful meal.

• Author: Sana
• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Persian

Ingredients

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Rice and Cooking Liquids

• 2 cups basmati rice
• 4 cups water

Fats and Aromatics

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped

Spices and Seasonings

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Dried Fruits and Nuts

• 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds
• 1/2 cup pistachios, chopped

Fresh Garnishes

• 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest

Instructions

1. Prepare the Rice: Rinse the basmati rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Soak the rice in water for 30 minutes, then drain well to ready it for cooking.
2. Parboil the Rice: In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the soaked rice and cook for about 10 minutes until it is al dente. Drain the rice promptly and set aside to prevent overcooking.
3. Sauté Onions and Spices: In the same pot, melt the butter and vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until golden brown, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, and salt, cooking for another minute to release their fragrance.
4. Layer the Rice and Mix-ins: Layer half of the cooked rice over the onion and spice mixture in the pot. Sprinkle half of the dried apricots, raisins, slivered almonds, and chopped pistachios evenly over the rice. Add the remaining rice on top and then distribute the rest of the dried fruits and nuts over the surface.
5. Steam the Rice: Cover the pot tightly with a lid and cook on the lowest heat setting for 30 to 40 minutes. This slow steaming will allow the flavors to meld and the rice to become tender without burning.
6. Rest the Rice: Once steaming is complete, remove the pot from heat and let it rest, covered, for 10 minutes to allow the rice to settle and steam further.
7. Finish and Serve: Gently fluff the rice with a fork to combine. Fold in the fresh pomegranate seeds, chopped parsley, orange zest, and lemon zest just before serving to add bursts of freshness and color to the dish.

Notes

• Soaking the rice helps to achieve fluffy, separate grains after cooking.
• Use a heavy-bottomed pot for even heat distribution to prevent the rice from sticking or burning.
• Adjust the amount of dried fruits and nuts based on personal preference for sweetness and texture.
• For a vegetarian version, ensure the butter is replaced with a plant-based alternative.
• Gently folding in fresh garnishes at the end prevents them from losing their bright color and texture.

Keywords: Persian rice, jeweled rice, basmati rice, dried fruits, nuts, Persian cuisine, festive rice dish, aromatic rice, Persian spices