SPICY ARABIC RICE

SPICY ARABIC RICE

Excite yourself with the tantalizing flavours of this spicy arabic rice dish. Using the right spices, this rice dish will liven up any menu. I serve it with plain natural yoghurt to help tone down the spice.. MMmm Hmm.. The smell of the spices coming off the rice are just amazing, wait til you get a whiff of it! Deeee Liiiish

What you will need 

• 2  cups basmati rice
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons sunflower oil 
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 chopped tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 whole dried lemon (optional)
• 1 bay leaf

Spices

• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ginger powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1  teaspoon  salt
• cloves (approximately 6 of them)
• cardamom (approximately 6 of them)

In a large pot, heat the oil and fry the onion and ginger. Now add the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, dried lemon and bay leaf. Add the basmati rice into the pan, followed by the water. (Note: to cook basmati rice, for every 1 cup of rice, cook in 1 1/2 cups of water).  Stir the rice, making sure it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot.

Stir in all the spices. Bring the rice to the boil. Simmer until the rice has absorbed the water. You are now ready to serve :)