Aromatic Rice Medley: A Flavorful Fusion
Looking for a hearty and flavorful side dish that’s easy to prepare? This Aromatic Rice Medley is the perfect choice! It combines the nutty texture of wild rice with the fluffy goodness of white rice, all infused with aromatic spices and a touch of heat.
Simple and Healthy Side Dishes: A Meal Planning Essential
One of the biggest challenges in meal planning is finding side dishes that are both delicious and easy to prepare. This Aromatic Rice Medley is the perfect example of a simple yet flavorful side dish that can be incorporated into your weekly meal plan.
Benefits of Simple Side Dishes:
- Save time: Simple side dishes like this one require minimal preparation and cooking time, making them ideal for busy weeknights.
- Reduce stress: Having a variety of easy-to-make side dishes in your repertoire can help reduce mealtime stress and prevent meal fatigue.
- Promote healthy eating: By focusing on simple, wholesome ingredients, you can create nutritious and satisfying side dishes that support your overall health goals.
Meal Planning Ideas:
- Pair with proteins: Serve this rice medley alongside grilled chicken, roasted salmon, or tofu for a complete and balanced meal.
- Add to salads: Incorporate cooked rice into your favorite salads for a boost of protein and texture.
- Create a grain bowl: Use this rice medley as a base for a nutritious grain bowl, and top it with your favorite vegetables, proteins, and sauces.
By adding simple and healthy side dishes like this Aromatic Rice Medley to your meal plan, you can create delicious, nutritious, and satisfying meals that will keep you coming back for more.
The ingredients for the recipe
The Aromatic Rice Medley recipe features a combination of grains, vegetables, and spices that create a flavorful and nutritious dish. Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients:
Grains:
- White rice (basmati preferably): The fluffy and fragrant white rice provides a neutral base for the other flavors in the dish.
- Wild rice: This nutty and chewy grain adds a distinct texture and flavor to the medley.
Vegetables:
- Lima beans: These tender beans add a touch of sweetness and protein to the dish.
Spices:
- Noubess Hot and Spicy Sauce: This hot sauce adds a spicy kick to the dish, while also contributing a unique flavor profile.
- Vegetable seasoning: This seasoning (either powder form or vegetable bouillon) provides a savory base for the flavors.
- Garlic: Chopped garlic adds a pungent and aromatic flavor to the dish.
- Chive: Fresh chives contribute a delicate onion-like flavor and a touch of green to the medley.
- Parsley and thyme: These herbs add a fresh, herbaceous aroma and flavor to the dish.
- Cloves: Whole cloves provide a warm and slightly sweet flavor.
Other ingredients:
- Olive oil: The olive oil adds richness and helps to sauté the aromatics.
- Salt and pepper: These basic seasonings are used to adjust the taste of the dish.
By combining these ingredients, the Aromatic Rice Medley creates a flavorful and satisfying side dish that is perfect for any meal.
Tips:
- Choose good Basmati rice: Opt for a quality Basmati rice brand for the best flavor and texture.
- Adjust cooking time: Cooking time for rice may vary slightly depending on the specific type of rice and the heat source.
- Experiment with spices: Feel free to customize the spice blend to your preference. Try adding other spices like cumin, coriander, or turmeric for a different flavor profile.
Additional Tips for the Aromatic Rice Medley
Cooking Wild Rice:
- Soaking: For a quicker cooking time and better texture, soak the wild rice in cold water for 30 minutes to 1 hour before cooking.
- Water ratio: Use a 2:1 ratio of water to wild rice for optimal cooking results.
Adding Other Types of Beans or Peas:
- Kidney beans: Add kidney beans for a hearty and smoky flavor.
- Black-eyed peas: For a creamy texture and subtle sweetness, incorporate black-eyed peas.
- Green peas: Fresh or frozen green peas can add a burst of color and sweetness to the dish.
Adding Vegetables:
- Bell peppers: Chopped bell peppers can add a vibrant color and a slightly sweet flavor.
- Broccoli florets: Steamed broccoli florets can add a nutritional boost and a pleasant crunch.
- Corn kernels: Sweet corn kernels can add a touch of sweetness and a fun texture. (if you are not allergic to corn)
Adding Seafood:
- Shrimp: Sautéed shrimp can add a protein-packed element and a delicious seafood flavor.
- Scallops: Pan-seared scallops can be a luxurious addition to the dish.
- Salmon: Flaky salmon can provide a hearty and flavorful protein option.
Adding Dried Shrimp:
- Flavor enhancement: Dried shrimp can add a savory and umami flavor to the dish.
- Preparation: Soak dried shrimp in warm water for 30 minutes before adding to the recipe.
Adding Fresh Herbs at the End:
- Garnish: For a fresh and aromatic finish, garnish the dish with chopped fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley, or basil.
- Flavor enhancement: Adding fresh herbs at the end helps to preserve their vibrant color and delicate flavor.
By incorporating these additional tips, you can further customize and enhance the Aromatic Rice Medley to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.
Rice Medley (white rice mixed with wild rice)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups white rice basmati preferably
- 1 cup wild rice
- 1 cup lima beans
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Noubess Hot and Spicy Sauce
- 3 tbsp. vegetable seasoning all purpose powder form or vegetable bouillon
- 2 garlic cloves chopped thinly
- 1 tbsp. fresh chopped chive
- 1 sprig of parsley
- 1 sprig of thyme
- 3 whole cloves
- 5 cups of water – room temperature
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the rice: Rinse both the wild rice and white rice under running water and set aside to drain.
- Sauté the aromatics: In a saucepan with a heavy bottom, under medium-high heat, add oil, hot sauce, garlic, and chive. Let the spices cook for a few seconds to release their aroma onto the oil.
- Add the rice and beans: Add the vegetable bouillon or seasoning and stir. Then, add the wild rice and fry while stirring for about 4-5 minutes. Add the white rice and cook gently, stirring for another 3 minutes. Finally, add the lima beans and stir to incorporate.
- Simmer and cook: Add water and the remaining spices. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Stir gently to mix and bring to a boil. Once the water starts evaporating and you can only see the rice mixture, lower the heat and cover tightly. Let cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice mixture is fully cooked and fluffy.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Notes
- Choose good Basmati rice: Opt for a quality Basmati rice brand for the best flavor and texture.
- Adjust cooking time: Cooking time for rice may vary slightly depending on the specific type of rice and the heat source.
- Experiment with spices: Feel free to customize the spice blend to your preference.
- Try adding other spices like cumin, coriander, or turmeric for a different flavor profile.
Nutrition
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.
Nutrition info is automatically generated and provided as a courtesy and as an estimate only.
Corn Allergy:
Always choose ingredients without corn or corn derivatives.
Originally published on September 12, 2014. Revised and updated.
