My Favourite Rice Recipes
I can’t remember the last time I ate plain, steamed rice (LOL). Whenever I cook rice, I try to add different ingredients that make me have a different experience on my palate. This time I had some carrots and green capsicum and so they went into the pot together with some passata and my favourite ingredients, garlic and onions. The end result was a delightful side dish with a lovely colour. Children tend to eat more if the food has some colour.
The recipe is so simple so no need to take your precious time describing too many steps. For every cup of basmati rice just add one and half cups water and you’ll be good to go. I hope you like this simple rice, the way we did. I wish you a happy evening or morning, wherever you are..
- Ingredients
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 400g (2 cups) basmati rice
- 1 carrot, cut into matchsticks or coarsely grated
- 1 small green bell pepper finely chopped
- 120ml (½ cup) passata or crushed tomato
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 vegetable bouillon cube
- 750ml (3 cups) water (you can omit bouillon cube and use 3 cups stock/broth)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- ¼ cup (3 tablespoons) finely chopped fresh coriander
Please always remember to assemble all ingredients before you start
Wash the rice until the water runs clear, drain and set aside Heat oil in a non-stick pan or skillet. Add onion, garlic and rice and cook stirring, 5 minutes, until onion is soft and rice is fully coated with oil.
Stir in carrot and green pepper and cook stirring for 2 minutes.
Stir in Passata, tomato paste and bouillon cube and stir until thoroughly combined. Add water, season, with salt and pepper, if necessary, bring to a rolling boil, cover and simmer 12 minutes without lifting the lid. Turn of heat and let stand for another 10 minutes (do not lift the lid).
Heat frozen peas in microwave until piping hot. Add to the rice with coriander. Fluff and serve.
This makes an excellent side dish
I hope it appeals to you too!
Basmati Rice with Carrot and Peas
Preparation time: 30 minutes; Cooking time: 35 minutes; Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 400g (2 cups) basmati rice
- 1 carrot, cut into matchsticks or coarsely grated
- 1 small green bell pepper finely chopped
- 120ml (½ cup) passata or crushed tomato
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 vegetable bouillon cube
- 750ml (3 cups) water (you can omit bouillon cube and use 3 cups stock/broth)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- ¼ cup (3 tablespoons) finely chopped fresh coriander
Instructions
- Wash the rice until the water runs clear, drain and set aside. Heat oil in a non-stick pan or skillet. Add onion, garlic and rice and cook stirring, 5 minutes, until onion is soft and rice is fully coated with oil.
- Stir in carrot and green pepper and cook stirring for 2 minutes.
- Stir in Passata, tomato paste and bouillon cube and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Add water, season, with salt and pepper, if necessary, bring to a rolling boil, cover and simmer 12 minutes without lifting the lid. Turn of heat and let stand for another 10 minutes (do not lift the lid).
- Heat frozen peas in microwave until piping hot. Add to the rice with coriander. Fluff and serve.
myfavouritepastime.com
My Favourite Pastime 
I’d need to sub in low-sodium broth for the bullion cube, unless I could find low-sodium bullion which I haven’t seen yet, has anyone?
http://nosaltnofatnosugar.com/2014/05/02/low-sodium-broth-skip-it-for-sodium-free/
Hi John,
Haven’t seen low-sodium bouillon but when I use them I don’t add any salt and I increase the amount of water required. Best wishes!
Liz
Another excellent rice recipe Liz! You are my main source for new rice dishes – thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi Aunt Juju
I’m glad to hear am you source for rice dishes. I feel very honoured. I hope you get time to try some of them. have a lovely week!
Liz
I knew I had not been browsing recipes for a while, but only now I see how many you have cooked up am I realizing how long it has been. I missed tons of fabulous dishes!
Hi Afra.
Nice to see you as usual. I think by now you know that I love rice. I’ve just had some paprika and tomato rice for lunch. it was extra delicious! Have a great week!
Liz
Yeap, I know that you love rice. I think that is so fabulous: we live miles apart, have never met, and yet, I know that you love rice 🙂
Ha I am supporting the Netherlands Team in World Cup. I really cheered when they were playing Costa Rica…. Tuesday I am on for Netherlands-Argentina match. Of course you know I shall be supporting the orange team…have a great Sunday!
liz
That is great to know! All good vibes are so so welcome. I have to say that being 50% German I have two irons in the fire, but it really is the Netherlands I am rooting for. Have a fabulous week!
Lucky you with that 7-1 win over Brazil. What if Netherlands wins tomorrow and they play against Germany? You’ll be torn apart, literally. Anyway at lead you have a team to support in the finals by now!!! Best wishes!
liz
Liz, Greetings to you. Loved the post, another of my favourite rice recipes, always end up eating a little more of these rice preparations.
Thank you, Ash. I completely agree good rice = overeating (LOL). I should consider eating some steamed rice. Have a great weekend!
Liz
Flavorful rice.. Carrot and peas yum yum
Thank you!
Liz
My bowl of leftover white rice in the refrigerator is getting really jealous!
Virtual hugs,
Judie
Ha ha, I can’t remember the last time I saw “white rice”. It must be so jealous, the owner might consider abandoning it. Have a great weekend.
Virtual Hugs.
Liz
So many recipes to try, they all sound wonderful!
One at time…you’ll eventually get there!
Liz
Nice one Liz, rice is always so versatile, and, you get some vegetables mixed with it as well. The coriander would add a lovely scent to it wouldn’t it? I think I should just move in with you and be your taste tester!!
Hi Sandy,
I know one day you’ll visit and taste test for a while, so I’m not worried at all. I’m feeling so lazy today, but i have a backlog of messages because I’ve been focusing on posting. I hope you have a super weather. Have a great weekend!
Liz
This looks so good Liz I must try it. My daughter loves basmati rice. The vegetables make it so appealing.
Thank you, Jo Ann, it’s simple but a pleasure to eat. I see you’ve started posting more regularly. That’s a good sign of the healing process. Have a wonderful weekend, ahead!
Liz