Authentic Lebanese Rice Recipe

Introduction

Authentic Lebanese Rice is a fragrant and flavorful side dish that complements a variety of Middle Eastern meals. With aromatic spices like cinnamon and allspice, this basmati rice offers a delightful twist to your usual rice dish. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for family dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain basmati rice
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cinnamon stick
• ½ teaspoon allspice powder
• Salt to taste
• 1¾ cups hot vegetable broth

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
2. Step 2: In a medium saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Sauté the diced onion until it turns golden brown.
3. Step 3: Add the minced garlic, cinnamon stick, and allspice powder to the pan. Stir briefly until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add the rinsed rice to the pan, stirring well to coat it with the oil and spices.
5. Step 5: Pour in the hot vegetable broth and season with salt to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil.
6. Step 6: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed.
7. Step 7: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the rice sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a richer flavor, toast the rice lightly in the oil before adding broth.
• Replace vegetable broth with chicken broth for a non-vegetarian option.
• Add toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds on top for extra texture and flavor.
• If you prefer a more aromatic touch, add a few cardamom pods along with the cinnamon stick.

Storage

Store leftover rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth to keep it moist.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of rice for this recipe?

Long-grain basmati rice is preferred for its fragrance and fluffy texture. Using other rice types may change the texture and cooking time.

Do I need to soak the basmati rice before cooking?

Rinsing the rice until the water runs clear is enough to remove excess starch; soaking is optional but can help achieve a softer texture.

Authentic Lebanese Rice Recipe

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4.5 from 88 reviews

This Authentic Lebanese Rice recipe offers a flavorful and aromatic side dish featuring long-grain basmati rice infused with cinnamon, allspice, and sautéed onions, cooked gently in vegetable broth to perfection. It’s a wonderful accompaniment to a variety of Middle Eastern dishes, delivering a fragrant and comforting experience.

• Author: Isabella
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Lebanese
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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Main Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain basmati rice
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cinnamon stick
• ½ teaspoon allspice powder
• Salt to taste
• 1¾ cups hot vegetable broth

Instructions

1. Rinse Rice: Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch, ensuring fluffy, separate grains after cooking.
2. Sauté Onions: In a medium saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until golden brown and translucent, which will build a rich base flavor.
3. Add Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic, cinnamon stick, and allspice powder. Cook briefly for about 1 minute until the spices become fragrant, releasing their warming aromas.
4. Toast Rice: Add the rinsed basmati rice to the saucepan and stir well to coat each grain with the oil and spices, enhancing flavor and texture.
5. Add Broth and Salt: Pour in the hot vegetable broth and season with salt to taste. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
6. Simmer Rice: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low. Cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid and let the rice simmer gently for about 15 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed by the rice.
7. Rest and Fluff: Remove the saucepan from the heat but keep it covered. Allow the rice to sit undisturbed for an additional 5 minutes to steam and finish cooking. Finally, fluff the rice gently with a fork before serving to separate the grains.

Notes

• Rinsing the rice thoroughly is essential to achieve light, fluffy rice without clumping.
• Use hot vegetable broth to speed up cooking and infuse more flavor into the rice.
• You can substitute vegetable oil with olive oil for a richer taste.
• Covering the pot while simmering traps steam and ensures even cooking of the rice.
• To make this dish gluten-free and vegetarian, verify the ingredients of your broth and allspice.

Keywords: Lebanese rice, basmati rice recipe, authentic Lebanese side dish, spiced rice, Middle Eastern rice, aromatic rice