Best Moroccan rice pilaf recipe
This Moroccan spiced rice (pilaf) with nuts, raisins and saffron is an authentic recipe perfect as a side dish for every occasion.
Servings: 6
Calories: 336kcal
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves (or 2-3 whole cloves)
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom (or 5-6 cardamom pods)
- 1 stick cinnamon
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 cups Basmati rice, parboiled
- 3 cups vegetable stock or water (you can also use chicken stock if you're not vegan)
- ¼ teaspoon saffron
- 3 dates, finely chopped
- 3 dried apricots, finely chopped
- ¼ cup raisins, chopped
- ¼ cup roasted almonds, crashed
Instructions
- Saute: transfer the onion and the olive oil in a large pot and sauté over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Add the cumin, the allspice, the cloves, the cardamom, the cinnamon stick, the bay leaves, the black pepper and the rice and stir until the rice gets white in color, about 2-3minutes.
- 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 8 - 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 10-15 minutes.
Notes
- For a more "al dente" rice, use 2 ½ cups water per 2 cups of rice.
- Discard the bay leaves and cinnamon stick (and cloves and cardamom pods if used whole) before serving.
- For the Basmati rice choose the type that says it needs 10-12 minutes cooking time.
- If the Basmati you choose is not parboiled, the cooking time on the packaging will be 20 minutes or longer. In that case the amount of liquid required will be more than 3 cups, and it's best to follow the packaging directions.
- A rice that is not parboiled should be rinsed before cooking: transfer it to a sieve, rinse under running water for 1 minute and let it drain well.
Nutrition
Calories: 336kcal
