Are you craving a hearty but light rice recipe straight from the lands of Arabia? The Arabic spiced rice with toasted nuts is what you must cook to satiate your cravings! 

This Middle Eastern rice recipe is easy to make and takes less time to prepare. The aromatic spices and nuts make it flavourful and comforting. You can prepare it on any day or special days during family gatherings. 

Here’re what ingredients required for this Middle Eastern rice recipe:

Arabic spices: These are the main ingredients required to impart a flavourful touch to Middle Eastern rice. A perfect blend of cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves adds a bold flavour to the spiced rice. You may find variations in the spice use as per the locations, but the goal is to achieve an exotic aroma.

Calrose rice: This is a short variety of rice quite popular in Asian cuisines. Its sticky texture makes it ideal for cuisines like stir fries and pilafs.

Nuts & dry fruits: Almonds and pine nuts are the most preferred dry fruits in Arabic cuisines. This spiced rice uses these ingredients to add a crunchy flavour and additional nutrition. You can also choose any assorted nuts of your choice.

Now, let’s see how to make Middle Eastern rice.

Recipe for spiced rice with toasted nuts 

Ingredients you need:

• Vegetable oil
• 300 g lamb (roughly minced)
• 4 cups Calrose rice
• 1/2 tablespoon white pepper
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
• 1 tablespoon 7 spice Arabic mix spice
• 2 1/2 tablespoon salt
• 4 cups hot water

Mixed nuts you need:

• 1/4 cup cashew nuts
• 1/4 cup blanched almonds
• 1/4 cup pistachios
• 1/4 cup yellow raisins
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 1/4 cup dried apricots (cut into small cubes)
• 1/4 cup dried figs (cut into small cubes)

Cooking method:

To make spiced rice with toasted nuts:

• Rinse the rice until the water is clear.
• Let it soak for about 30 minutes.
• Drain the water and set it aside.

Take a pot and add oil to it. Add the nuts and roast it for a few seconds. Remove from the pot and set aside. 

Now, take the same pot and heat 2 tbsp of oil in it. Once the oil is heated, add the cinnamon stick and bay leaf. Let it splutter, and add the minced lamb. Season the meat with 2 tbsp of salt. Add all the other spices including, black pepper powder, white pepper powder, 7-spices powder, and cinnamon powder. 

Sauté all the ingredients until the meat turns light brown. Make sure the meat still has the moisture. 

Now add the rice and mix the ingredients together. Saute for a few minutes, add hot water, and cover the lid. Set the heat low and let the rice cook for about twenty minutes. 

Once the water is absorbed, fluff the rice using a fork and serve by garnishing it with the mixed nuts.

Ingredients you can switch with

• If you pantry doesn’t have calrose rice, you can use basmati rice, jasmine rice, or any rice available with you.
• Instead of lamb, you can use beef.
• Instead of vegetable oil, you can use olive oil, canola oil, and so on.
• Instead of water, you can use broth for a flavourful delight.

So, enjoy this delightful Middle Eastern recipe with family and friends on any day of the week! Make sure to share your version of spiced rice with nuts.