Heart-Healthy Traditional Arabic Rice

Elevate your mealtime with this Heart-Healthy Traditional Arabic Rice, a wholesome take on a beloved classic. This recipe uses nutritious brown basmati rice, fragrant spices like cumin, turmeric, and cardamom, and a touch of olive oil for a base packed with flavor and health benefits. Toasted slivered almonds and sweet raisins add delightful texture and natural sweetness, while low-sodium vegetable broth keeps the dish light yet satisfying. Garnished with fresh parsley, this aromatic dish is perfect as a side or paired with lean proteins like grilled chicken or baked tofu. Ready in just under an hour, this recipe is a simple yet flavorful way to embrace heart-healthy dining.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown basmati rice
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 pieces garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 piece cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 0.25 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 2 tablespoons slivered almonds
• 2 tablespoons raisins
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the brown basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.

Step 2

In a medium pot, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the finely chopped onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes translucent.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, being careful not to let it burn.

Step 5

Stir in the ground cumin, turmeric, and cardamom, and sauté for 30 seconds to release the spices' aroma.

Step 6

Add the rinsed brown basmati rice to the pot and stir well to coat the grains in the spice mixture.

Step 7

Pour in the low-sodium vegetable broth, add the cinnamon stick, and bring to a gentle boil.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the rice simmer for 35 minutes or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the broth.

Step 9

While the rice is cooking, toast the slivered almonds in a small, dry skillet over medium heat until golden, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 10

Once the rice is cooked, remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Discard the cinnamon stick.

Step 11

Fluff the rice with a fork, then gently fold in the toasted almonds and raisins.

Step 12

Season with salt and black pepper to taste, keeping the quantities minimal for a heart-healthy dish.

Step 13

Transfer the rice to a serving dish and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.

Step 14

Serve warm as a side or alongside a lean protein like grilled chicken or baked tofu for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(916.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	856.4

Total Fat 44.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 902.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 105.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.5g	0%
Total Sugars 28.3g
Protein 22.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 284.9mg	0%
Iron 7.6mg	0%
Potassium 1541.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.0%

Protein: 9.9%

Carbs: 46.1%