Turkish-style Spiced Rice with Vegetables

Ingredients

While the original Nigerian Fried Rice is known for its bold flavors and vibrant colors, this Turkish-style spiced rice incorporates traditional Turkish spices and flavors. The use of cumin, paprika, and cinnamon gives the dish a distinct Turkish taste. Additionally, the original Nigerian Fried Rice often includes ingredients like curry powder and thyme, which are not commonly used in Turkish cuisine. The Turkish-style spiced rice also focuses on the use of colorful vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and peas, which are commonly found in Turkish dishes. We alse have the original recipe for Nigerian Fried Rice, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (400g) long-grain rice 2 cups (400g) long-grain rice
• 3 cups (710ml) vegetable broth 3 cups (710ml) vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 carrot, diced 1 carrot, diced
• 1 cup (150g) frozen peas 1 cup (150g) frozen peas
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 6g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 60g, 6g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until they become translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the diced bell peppers, carrot, and frozen peas to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. 4.
   Stir in the ground cumin, paprika, and ground cinnamon. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to allow the spices to release their flavors.
5. 5.
   Add the rice to the pot and stir well to coat it with the spices and vegetables.
6. 6.
   Pour in the vegetable broth and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil.
7. 7.
   Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
8. 8.
   Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes.
9. 9.
   Fluff the rice with a fork and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Rice — Rinse the rice thoroughly to remove excess starch and achieve fluffy grains.
• Ground cumin — Toasting the cumin seeds before grinding them will enhance their flavor.
• Bell peppers — For a smoky flavor, you can roast the bell peppers before dicing them.
• Frozen peas — Thaw the peas before adding them to the dish to ensure even cooking.
• Fresh parsley — Chop the parsley just before garnishing to retain its vibrant color and fresh taste.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, you can use vegetable stock instead of vegetable broth.
• Customize the dish by adding other vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms.
• To make it a complete meal, serve the Turkish-style spiced rice with grilled chicken or lamb.
• Add a squeeze of lemon juice before serving for a refreshing twist.
• Leftovers can be enjoyed the next day by reheating in a pan with a little olive oil.

Serving advice

Serve the Turkish-style spiced rice with vegetables as a main course accompanied by a fresh salad or yogurt on the side. It can also be served as a side dish to complement Turkish grilled meats or kebabs.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, garnish the dish with a sprinkle of paprika and a few lemon wedges. Serve it in a colorful ceramic dish or on a decorative platter to showcase the vibrant colors of the vegetables.