Simple Spiced Rice Recipes

SPICED RICE

Steps:

• Fry the onions, bay and whole spices in the butter for 10 mins. Sprinkle in the turmeric, then add the curry paste and cook until aromatic. Add the rice and the raisins, stir and cook for a good few mins, then add the stock and bring to the boil. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and when really boiling lower the heat and cook for 10 mins. Turn the heat off but don't lift the lid and leave to sit for 20 mins.
• Stir in half the almonds and coriander, with the rest of the coriander and the almonds thrown over the top.

SPICY RICE

Steps:

• In a sauce pan combine oil, onion and green pepper. Saute over medium heat until vegetables are tender. Sprinkle in cayenne pepper. Add heated chicken stock and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Add rice and stir. Cover and reduce to a simmer. Continue simmering over low heat until all liquid is absorbed. Serve hot.

NICE 'N' SPICY SAVOURY RICE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Rinse and soak the rice for 10 mins. Heat a large, ovenproof saucepan. Add the oil, then the onion, garlic and ginger. Cook on a low heat until the onion is soft. Add the cloves, cinnamon and cardamom pods and cook for a further 2 mins on a low heat. Add the curry powder and cook for a further 2 mins, then stir.
• Drain the rice and add it to the saucepan. Stir so that the rice is coated in the oil and spices. Add the peas, sweetcorn and half the flaked almonds, if using. Pour over the stock and stir.
• Cover the pan with a lid or with a sheet of foil, then cook in the oven for 15-20 mins. Remove from the oven, scatter with the remaining almonds, if using, and serve.

SPICED BASMATI RICE

Steps:

• Bring the rice to the boil in 2 litres of water and allow to cook for 7 mins. Rinse the rice in a colander with cold water. Leave to drain for 5 mins.
• Meanwhile, put half the butter and the oil into a saucepan. Bring to a medium heat and add the rest of the ingredients, except the rice and the saffron. Slowly fry until fragrant, then stir in the drained rice. Using the end of a wooden spoon to make holes in the rice to allow the steam to rise. Dot the remaining butter on top of the rice and scatter over the saffron. Put the lid back on the pan, and cover with a tea towel to seal the steaming process. Turn off the heat and leave to steam for 30 mins - this makes the rice fluffy and separated without drying it out.