A Most Festive Rice | Amazing "Christmas Rice" Recipe

coconut milk

🥗Healthier: light coconut milk

💰Cheaper: water + coconut extract

Light coconut milk reduces calories while maintaining flavor.

chicken

🥗Healthier: tofu

💰Cheaper: chicken thighs

Tofu provides a plant-based option while chicken thighs are more affordable.

Start by washing 3 1/2 cups of long grain parboiled rice to remove excess starch.

In a pot, add 3 1/2 cups of water and bring it to a simmer on medium-high heat.

Add in the bay leaf, cinnamon, and star anise to the water.

Cover the pot and reduce the heat to the lowest setting, allowing the rice to steam for about 8 to 10 minutes until tender.

While the rice is cooking, prepare the other ingredients by chopping them into similar sizes.

Zest a lemon using a box grater, avoiding the white part to prevent bitterness.

After 10 minutes, fluff the rice to loosen the grains and set it aside.

In a separate pot on medium flame, heat a couple tablespoons of oil.

Add chopped purple onion, carrot, and minced ginger to the pot, cooking for a few minutes.

Season with a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of MSG (optional).

Add a tablespoon of minced garlic, sage, dried cranberries, and a teaspoon of lemon zest to the pot.

Incorporate the chopped green and red sweet peppers, turmeric powder, and cardamom powder into the mixture.

Add a couple dashes of orange bitters for flavor.

Stir in the chopped pecans for texture.

Add half of the cooked rice to the pot and toss everything together to evenly distribute the ingredients.

Turn off the heat and incorporate the remaining rice with the aromatics.

Finish with another tablespoon of lemon zest, salt to taste, black pepper, and a drizzle of sesame oil.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens