Peruvian-Style Christmas Arab Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups Carolina® Organic White Rice or Carolina® White Rice
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil, divided
- 1/2 cup pieces broken vermicelli noodles (2-inch long pieces)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped toasted almonds
Instructions
With the combination of fresh herbs and sweet and savory flavors, this Peruvian-Style Arab Christmas Rice will be a crowd-pleaser at your holiday table!
Step 1
Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large saucepan set over medium heat; cook noodles for 3 to 4 minutes, turning over until golden brown, puffed and crispy. Transfer to paper towel–lined plate.
Step 2
Heat remaining oil in same saucepan set over medium heat; cook garlic and ginger for 2 to 3 minutes or until fragrant. Stir in rice, salt and pepper; cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until well coated. Add 3 1/2 cups water; bring to boil.
Step 3
Stir in noodles, raisins, soy sauce and brown sugar. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Step 4
Remove from heat; cover and let stand for 10 minutes. Fluff with fork. Transfer to serving platter. Sprinkle with parsley, cilantro, mint and almonds.
Recipe Tip
For a festive golden hue and exotic flavor, add a pinch of saffron threads to 2 tbsp boiled water; steep for 5 minutes. Add to the cooking water for rice.
Try with our Organic Certified Carolina® Organic White Rice.
International Inspired
This Arab rice, often referred to as Middle Eastern or Lebanese rice, is characteristically made using a combination of long grain white rice, short vermicelli noodles and olive oil, butter or both. We’ve chosen a quality variety like extra long grain Carolina® White Rice. It’s similar to a rice pilaf in that the vermicelli and rice are toasted in the oil and butter before cooking, however a rice pilaf is made using broth instead of seasoned water.
Much like other Arab dishes it’s made with lots of flavor and complementing herbs such as chopped parsley, cilantro and mint along with toasted almonds or other nuts. However, the Peruvian influence of this dish includes the raisins and brown sugar along with the umami flavor from the soy sauce.
How To Serve
This dish makes an excellent side dish for a holiday get-together meal or simply a flavorful weeknight dinner. Serve with roast chicken, turkey or Garlic Lemon Chicken Kebabs and finish off with a Rice Pudding with raisins.
Although this dish is naturally vegetarian, top with leftover turkey or chicken for a delicious way to repurpose your holiday of Thanksgiving Leftovers.
