Easy Savoury Rice

Savoury rice

Savoury rice

Total: 40 mins | Serves: 3
The first time I had Savoury Rice, I was at a friend's dinner party and I was blown away by the depth of flavour in such a simple dish. It was as if the combination of sautéed onion, mushrooms, and red pepper had infused the long grain rice with a richness that was both comforting and exciting. I remember going back for seconds, and even thirds, of that Savoury Rice, and wondering how something so straightforward could be so delicious. As I later found out, the key to this recipe lies in the balance of ingredients, including the addition of a juicy tomato and a sprinkle of vegetable stock powder, which adds a subtle boost to the overall taste. Now, whenever I make Savoury Rice, I'm reminded of that initial surprise and delight, and I love how the aroma of onion and mushrooms fills my kitchen as the rice cooks to perfection with 550ml of boiling water.

Savoury rice

Ingredients

  • One medium-sized onion
  • A trio of mushrooms
  • Half of a red bell pepper
  • A single fresh tomato
  • A ten-milliliter measure of oil
  • One hundred fifty grams of rice with a long grain
  • A five-milliliter measure of powdered or cubed vegetable stock
  • Five hundred fifty milliliters of water at boiling point
  • Fifty grams of garden peas
  • A ten-milliliter spoonful of curry powder blend

Instructions

Step 1

To start preparing your savoury rice, you'll want to get your vegetables ready. Begin by peeling the onion and chopping it into small, uniform pieces - aim for about 1-2 cm in size. Next, slice the mushrooms into thin strips, trying to make them as consistent as possible so they cook evenly. As you chop, you'll also want to deseed and dice the red pepper into small cubes, and chop the tomato into similar-sized pieces, which will help them distribute their flavour and texture throughout the dish.

Step 2

Now it's time to start building the flavor foundation of our savoury rice. You'll want to heat about 2-3 tablespoons of oil in a large pan over medium-low heat, around 3-4 on your stovetop dial. As the oil warms up, add in your diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it's softened and translucent - this should take about 5 minutes, or until you notice it's no longer crunchy. Next, add in your sliced mushrooms and diced red pepper, continuing to cook for another 2 minutes, stirring frequently, as we want them to retain their texture and start to develop a bit of caramelization. After that, it's time to introduce the star of the dish: your rice. Stir it in gently, making sure the grains are well coated with the oil and mixed with the sautéed vegetables, and get ready to take your rice to the next level.

Step 3

Now it's time to add some flavour to your rice mixture. In a small bowl, whisk together the stock powder and water until it's well combined - you want to make sure the powder is fully dissolved. Next, add this stock mixture to the rice, along with the peas and curry powder, and stir everything together until the rice is evenly coated. Then, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 4

Now it's time to bring your savoury rice dish together. To start, scoop a generous portion of the fluffy rice into a bowl - you should see a light, airy texture that's not too clumpy. Next, take a moment to prepare your chopped tomato topping: if you haven't already, dice up a fresh tomato into small, bite-sized pieces. Finally, sprinkle these juicy tomatoes over the top of your rice, adding a pop of colour and freshness to the dish.

Nutrition Information

calories: 420 kcal
fat: 10g
carbs: 70g
protein: 10g
fiber: 4g

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My Tip

When cooking Savoury Rice, make sure to stir in the rice thoroughly after adding it to the pan with the onion, mushrooms, and red pepper. This helps distribute the oil and prevents the rice from clumping.

Leftovers

Store Savoury Rice in a glass container to preserve the flavours. Reheat in the microwave for a quick and easy meal.

Make It Your Own

Try swapping the vegetable stock cube for a gluten-free alternative to make this savoury rice dish more inclusive. Use tamari for added depth.

#Fried rice