Savory Rice

Yesterday was a bright and sunny day. I was having my morning cup of coffee when it struck me that it is already fall season and who knows how many sunny days are left before it starts snowing.  Determined to have some outdoor fun I woke up hubby and demanded a picnic. I had to do some cajoling but he finally agreed.

The next task was to call my best friend Alia and draw them (Alia and her husband) to the plan as well. At last everything was decided, Alia was to bring the main dish and I had to bring the side dish and dessert. I knew the chocolate truffles that I had made a day before would be a good dessert. But since I had no idea what would be the main dish I wanted to make a side dish which would go with everything. So the only side dish which came to my mind was Savory Rice.

Savory Rice is cooked with vegetables and boiled in stock (you can use either vegetable or chicken stock). It is quick and easy to cook, and also flavorful enough to perfectly pair with any dish.

To make Savory Rice you would need:

Ingredients:

• Onions -1 medium size
• Green Peas – 1 cup
• Carrot finely chopped  –½ cup
• Oil – 2 tbsp
• Long Grain Rice – 150 gm
• Vegetable Stock cube – 1 cube
• Curry Powder – 2 tsp
• Fresh Herbs to garnish (optional)
• Salt to taste

(You can also use a mix of individual spices like cayenne pepper, turmeric powder and cumin powder if you do not have curry powder)

Steps:

1. In a wok heat some oil( preferably sunflower oil) and add the chopped onions.
   
2. Saute' it for 2 mins and then add the peas and carrots.  Mix well and cook for 2 more mins.
   
3. Add the rice and saute'
   
4. Now prepare the vegetable stock by dissolving the stock cube in about 20 ml of water. You can even use chicken stock powder or use a homemade stock.
   
5. Add the stock, about 2 cups of water , salt and curry powder to the rice.
   
6. Simmer for 15 mins , until the rice is tender and all the water has evaporated.
7. Garnish with some fresh herbs and serve hot.

This dish goes well with everything be it chicken, shrimp or Creamy Cauliflower.

Which side dish other than Savory Rice do you feel pairs perfectly with almost everything? 

Do let me know...

Stay flavorful !