Vegetarian Fragrant Spiced Rice

Transform your mealtime with this easy and vibrant Vegetarian Fragrant Spiced Rice, a perfect harmony of aromatic spices, tender basmati rice, and colorful vegetables. Infused with the warm, earthy flavors of cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and cardamom, this dish is lightly spiced and irresistibly fragrant. Sautéed onions, garlic, and ginger form a flavorful base, while turmeric lends its golden hue, perfectly complementing the sweet crunch of carrots, bell peppers, and green peas. A garnish of toasted cashew nuts and fresh cilantro adds a delightful crunch and herbaceous finish. Ready in just 45 minutes, this gluten-free and vegetarian recipe is ideal as a satisfying side dish or a light, wholesome main course. Perfectly versatile, this spiced rice is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser for weeknights or special occasions!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium, finely chopped onion
• 2 crushed garlic cloves
• 1 inch piece, grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 crushed cardamom pods
• 1 bay leaf
• 0.5 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 0.5 cup green peas
• 1 medium, diced carrot
• 1 small, diced bell pepper
• 1 teaspoon or to taste salt
• 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons, toasted cashew nuts

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the basmati rice under cold running water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Drain well and set aside.

Step 2

In a deep saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds, coriander seeds, cinnamon stick, crushed cardamom pods, and bay leaf. Sauté for about 1 minute until aromatic.

Step 3

Add the chopped onion to the pan and cook until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the crushed garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another minute.

Step 4

Add the turmeric powder and diced vegetables (green peas, carrot, and bell pepper) to the pan. Stir well to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes.

Step 5

Add the rinsed rice to the pan and stir gently to coat the rice with the spices and vegetable mixture.

Step 6

Pour in the water and add salt. Stir once and bring to a boil.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid, and let the rice simmer for 15-18 minutes until all the water is absorbed and the rice is cooked through.

Step 8

Once cooked, remove the pan from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes.

Step 9

Gently fluff the rice with a fork, and remove the cinnamon stick and bay leaf.

Step 10

Transfer the rice to a serving dish and garnish with toasted cashew nuts and fresh cilantro.

Step 11

Serve warm as a side dish or light main course.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1111.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	807.6

Total Fat 39.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.8g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2547.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 101.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.6g	0%
Total Sugars 16.2g
Protein 18.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 231.2mg	0%
Iron 9.9mg	0%
Potassium 1100.3mg	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: 42.3%

Protein: 9.0%

Carbs: 48.7%