Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 3/4 cups water
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 shallots or 1 small onion
- finely chopped
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 6 ounces cauliflower
- broken into very small florets (2 cups)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill or parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground cardamom seeds (from green cardamom pods)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 18 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 13 cup currants
- sultanas
- golden or black raisins
- soaked for 20 minutes in hot water and drained
- 1/2 to 1 cup frozen peas (to taste)
- 3 tablespoons pine nuts
- toasted until golden
- 3/4 cup cooked wild rice (about 1/3 cup uncooked)
Instructions
- Soak basmati rice in water to cover for 30 minutes (prepare the other ingredients during this time).
- Drain.
- In a large, heavy saucepan melt butter over medium high heat and add rice.
- Cook, stirring, until grains are coated with butter, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add 2 cups water and salt to taste (I use about 3/4 teaspoon).
- Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 12 to 15 minutes, until water is absorbed.
- Do not lift lid or stir rice during this time.
- Remove from heat, remove lid and place a dish towel over the pan.
- Return lid and let sit undisturbed for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil over medium heat in a heavy skillet or a wide saucepan and add shallots or onion.
- Cook, stirring often, until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes for shallots, 4 to 5 minutes for onion.
- Add carrots, cauliflower, dill or parsley, cardamom, allspice, cinnamon, sugar, currants or raisins, and salt and pepper to taste, and stir together.
- Add remaining 3/4 cup water and bring to a simmer.
- Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes.
- Add peas, turn up heat and cook another 5 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and fragrant, and most of the water has evaporated.
- If there is more than a tablespoon of water in the pan, drain.
- Transfer rice to a large bowl or a large buttered or oiled baking dish.
- Stir toasted pine nuts and the vegetable and spice mixture into the rice.
- Add wild rice and toss together.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- If not serving right away, cover baking dish with foil.
- Reheat in a 325-degree oven for about 20 minutes.
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