Spicy Moroccan Rice Recipes

MOROCCAN RICE (PILAF)

Steps:

• Saute: Place the onion and the olive oil in a large pot and sauté under medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Add cumin, allspice, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, pepper and rice and stir until rice gets a white color, about 2-3 minutes.
• Simmer: Add the stock (or water), salt and saffron, cover the pot and wait until it starts to boil. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook covered until almost all of the water is absorbed, about 5 - 10 minutes.
• Rest: Turn off the heat, add the dried fruits and almonds and stir/fluff up gently with a fork. Cover the pot and let the pilaf rest for 15-20 minutes.

SPICY MOROCCAN RICE

Steps:

• Coat chicken with the Moroccan spice. Fry the onion in butter until soft.
• Tip in the chicken, then cook for a few mins more. Stir in the rice and apricots, then pour in the stock cube with 700ml boiling water and the chickpeas.
• Cover the pan and simmer for 10 mins until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Toss in the chopped flat leaf parsley and serve.

EXOTIC AND SWEET MOROCCAN CHICKEN WITH SPICY RICE

Steps:

• Cut the chicken breast into largish bite-sized portions.
• Mix the flour with the cinnamon, confectioner's sugar, ginger, salt and pepper to taste.
• Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture.
• Fry in shallow oil until browned and cooked through, turning once.
• Keep warm in a low oven.
• Saute the chile peppers, mushrooms and onion in oil until softened and golden.
• Add the cooked basmati rice and continue sauteing until cooked through.
• Add the salt and pepper to taste.
• Spread the rice and a large platter.
• Top with a pyramid of chicken pieces.
• Garnish with fresh cilantro (coriander), if desired.

LAMB STEAKS WITH MOROCCAN SPICED RICE

Steps:

• Put the rice in a pan with water to generously cover, and add the stock cube or powder. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 10-12 mins, until the rice is tender. Drain well.
• Heat the grill and season the steaks or chops. Grill for 3-4 mins on each side until cooked to your liking.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a pan, add the onion and fry gently for 5 mins until lightly coloured. Add the garlic and pine nuts, then fry until the nuts are lightly toasted. Stir in the spices, then add the apricots and rice and mix well, heating everything through. Stir through the parsley or coriander and serve with the steaks or chops, adding the lemon wedges for squeezing over.

MOROCCAN RICE

Steps:

• Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear; drain.
• Place rice in a microwave-safe rice cooker or bowl.
• Add enough stock until it covers the rice by 2cm.
• Cover with a lid or a double layer of plastic wrap and Cook on High/800watts/100% for 5 minutes.
• Cook on Medium/500watts/50% for a further 7 minutes.
• Remove from microwave and set aside.
• Meanwhile place oil, onion, almonds, pine nuts, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon and chili powder in a microwave safe rice cooker or bowl.
• Cook uncovered stirring every minute on High for 3 to 4 minutes or until the nuts are toasted and the mixture is fragrant.
• Add raisins, orange rind and juice.
• Cook on high for 1 minute.
• Add the nut mixture and coriander to the rice and stir gently to combine.
• Taste and season with salt and pepper.