Heat up your taste buds with this Spicy Rice recipe! Made with aromatic spices, peppers, and fluffy rice, it’s a perfect side dish or main course. Adjust the spice level to your liking!
Spicy Rice
Spicy rice is a flavorful and aromatic rice dish that is perfect for those who enjoy a bit of heat in their meals. The dish is typically made with long-grain rice, which is cooked with a variety of spices and herbs to create a fragrant and tasty base. The level of spiciness can vary depending on the recipe, with some versions being milder than others.
One popular type of spicy rice is Spanish rice, which is a staple in many Latin American cuisines. It is often made with tomato sauce, onion, garlic, and a variety of spices such as cumin, chili powder, and paprika. Some versions also include diced vegetables like bell peppers and carrots.
Another popular type of spicy rice is biryani, a traditional Indian rice dish that is often served during special occasions. Biryani is made by layering cooked rice with a mixture of spiced meat, vegetables, and herbs. The spiciness of the dish comes from a blend of spices such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili powder.
Other variations of spicy rice include Cajun rice, which is a Louisiana-style dish made with sausage, shrimp, and spices, and Mexican-style rice, which is often flavored with tomato, chili, and cumin.
No matter what type of spicy rice you prefer, it is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or as a side dish. It pairs well with a variety of proteins, such as chicken, beef, or seafood, and is perfect for adding some bold and exciting flavors to your meal.
What spices to add to rice?
- Cumin: Cumin has a warm and earthy flavor that pairs well with rice. It is commonly used in Middle Eastern, Indian, and Mexican cuisines.
- Turmeric: Turmeric has a vibrant yellow color and a slightly bitter flavor. It is commonly used in Indian, Middle Eastern, and Southeast Asian cuisines.
- Paprika: Paprika is a mild spice that adds a smoky and slightly sweet flavor to rice. It is commonly used in Spanish, Hungarian, and Moroccan cuisines.
- Coriander: Coriander has a slightly citrusy and sweet flavor that pairs well with rice. It is commonly used in Indian, Middle Eastern, and Southeast Asian cuisines.
- Garlic: Garlic has a strong and pungent flavor that can add depth and complexity to rice. It is commonly used in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Asian cuisines.
- Onion: Onion has a sweet and savory flavor that pairs well with rice. It is commonly used in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Asian cuisines.
- Bay leaves: Bay leaves have a subtle and aromatic flavor that can add depth to rice. They are commonly used in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Caribbean cuisines.
What can I add to rice for flavor?
- Broth or stock: Cooking rice in broth or stock instead of water can add a lot of flavor to the rice. You can use chicken, vegetable, or beef broth depending on your preference.
- Herbs: Adding fresh or dried herbs to rice can add depth and complexity to the flavor. Some popular herbs for rice include thyme, rosemary, parsley, cilantro, and basil.
- Spices: As mentioned earlier, adding spices such as cumin, turmeric, paprika, coriander, garlic, onion, and bay leaves can give rice a lot of flavor.
- Lemon or lime juice: Adding a splash of lemon or lime juice to rice can add a bright and citrusy flavor.
- Soy sauce: Adding a little soy sauce can give rice a savory and umami flavor.
- Coconut milk: Adding coconut milk to rice can add a sweet and creamy flavor, which is commonly used in Caribbean and Southeast Asian cuisine.
- Nuts: Toasted nuts such as almonds, cashews, or peanuts can add crunch and nutty flavor to rice.
- Vegetables: Adding vegetables such as onions, garlic, peppers, carrots, and peas to rice can add flavor and nutrients to the dish.
Best Spicy Rice Recipe
Servings: 4 Preparation: 10 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes Calories: 200 Fat: 2g
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp turmeric
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups water or chicken broth
- 1 cup green peas
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Rinse the rice in cold water and drain well.
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Add turmeric, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and salt to the skillet. Cook for another 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add the rice to the skillet and stir well to combine with the onion and spice mixture.
- Add water or chicken broth to the skillet and stir well.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid.
- Let the rice simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Once the rice is done, turn off the heat and add the green peas to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
- Cover the skillet and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, or until the peas are heated through.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.
- Serve hot as a side dish or as a light vegetarian main course.
Nutrition:
- Calories: 200
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
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Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp turmeric
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups water or chicken broth
- 1 cup green peas
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Rinse the rice in cold water and drain well.
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Add turmeric, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and salt to the skillet. Cook for another 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add the rice to the skillet and stir well to combine with the onion and spice mixture.
- Add water or chicken broth to the skillet and stir well.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid.
- Let the rice simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Once the rice is done, turn off the heat and add the green peas to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
- Cover the skillet and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, or until the peas are heated through.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.
- Serve hot as a side dish or as a light vegetarian main course.
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