South African Golden Rice

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) long-grain white rice 2 cups (400g) long-grain white rice
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 cinnamon stick 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup (75g) raisins 1/2 cup (75g) raisins
• 1/2 cup (60g) slivered almonds 1/2 cup (60g) slivered almonds
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional) Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 70g, 12g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain and set aside.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the ground turmeric and cinnamon stick to the pot, and stir for a minute to release their flavors.
4. 4.
   Add the rinsed rice to the pot and stir well to coat the grains with the spices.
5. 5.
   Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
6. 6.
   Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes.
7. 7.
   Fluff the rice with a fork, then gently stir in the raisins and slivered almonds. Season with salt to taste.
8. 8.
   Serve the Geelrys garnished with fresh cilantro, if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Rice — Rinse the rice thoroughly to remove excess starch and achieve fluffy grains.
• Turmeric — Be careful when handling turmeric as it can stain surfaces and clothing. Use a wooden or non-staining spoon when stirring.
• Cinnamon stick — If you don't have a cinnamon stick, you can substitute it with 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more vibrant yellow color, you can add a pinch of saffron threads to the rice while cooking.
• Toast the slivered almonds in a dry pan over medium heat for a few minutes before adding them to the rice for enhanced flavor.
• If you prefer a sweeter Geelrys, you can increase the amount of raisins or add a drizzle of honey before serving.
• Leftover Geelrys can be refrigerated and reheated the next day. Add a splash of water or broth when reheating to restore moisture.

Serving advice

Geelrys is a versatile dish that pairs well with a variety of main courses. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, lamb curry, or roasted vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the visual appeal of Geelrys, garnish it with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro leaves. You can also serve it in a decorative bowl or mold it into a shape for an elegant presentation.