Best Easy Vegetable Herb Rice Recipes

QUICK ONE POT VEGETABLE RICE

Steps:

• If using basmati or Asian rice it's best to wash and soak for 30 mins before cooking. Drain and set aside. Pro tip - soaking the rice makes for even cooking as well as makes it light and fluffy.
• In a skillet, saute' onions, garlic, and ginger in oil for about 2 minutes until translucent.Pro tip - Use a wide skillet for cooking rice to ensure even cooking.
• Add cinnamon, bay leaves, carrots, peas, and green beans - saute a minute more.Pro tip - we want the veggies to coat with the oil. If using frozen veggies do not cook for too long.
• Next, add the rice and cook on medium heat for two minutes so the rice is well coated with the oil.Pro tip- sauteing the rice will coat every grain with oil and lightly toast it. This makes very fluffy rice.
• Add stock, fresh herbs - and stir well. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a low simmer and cover with a lid.
• Cook on low for 15 minutes undisturbed. After 15 minutes - switch the heat off and let the rice rest for 10 minutes.Pro tip - the rice will continue to cook in the residue heat making it just right.
• When ready to serve - fluff the rice with a fork. Garnish with more fresh herbs. I like to serve it on its own with raita (recipe below) or along with the main course.

SAVORY HERB RICE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the water, butter and bouillon. Bring to a boil. Add remaining ingredients. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for about 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.

EASY HERB RICE

Steps:

• Mix water, beef bouillon, onion, thyme, marjoram, and rosemary together in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Add rice, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until water is absorbed and rice is tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

EASY VEGETABLE-HERB RICE

Steps:

• Spray large saucepan with cooking spray.
• Add onion and carrots and saute over medium heat, adding a few drops of water if necessary to prevent sticking, stirring frequently, until onion is translucent and carrot is fairly tender.
• Add water rice, salt, dill weed, and pepper; bring to a boil.
• Cover; simmer 20-25 minutes or until rice is tender.
• Stir in parsley and fat-free margarine.
• Serve.

SABZI POLO (GREEN HERB RICE)

Steps:

• Place rice in a medium bowl and cover with tepid water. Gently swish it around with your finger to activate the starches, then tip the bowl to drain water. Repeat this process until water runs clear, about 7 rinses. Cover rice with cold water, add 1 tablespoon salt, stir gently, and soak for 1 hour. Drain rice without rinsing.
• Crush saffron threads to a powder in a small mortar and pestle. Transfer to a small bowl with 2 tablespoons boiling water. Stir, cover, and set saffron water aside.
• Fill a 5-quart nonstick pot with 12 cups water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add 4 tablespoons salt and stir until dissolved. Add rice, stir once gently, and watch carefully as it cooks so water does not boil over. Taste water for salt and adjust accordingly. Cook rice until the first piece pops up to the surface. Set a timer for 4 minutes and cook, scooping off any foam from the surface, until the timer goes off. Test rice and continue to cook until tender on the outside but still firm to the bite on the inside, 6 to 8 minutes more.
• Drain rice in a colander and rinse quickly with lukewarm water and a spray faucet to rinse off extra starch. Taste rice and gently rinse again if too salty. Set aside to drain completely. Wash and dry the pot.
• Combine chopped fresh parsley, cilantro, dill, and chives with dried dill in a medium bowl. Gently combine herb mixture with rice in the colander, taking care not to break the grains of rice.
• Place the clean pot over medium heat. Add oil, 1 tablespoon saffron water, and a pinch of salt; swirl the pot until the bottom and lower sides are coated with the oil mixture. Trim or tear lavash bread and cover the bottom of the pot to create the tahdig layer.
• Gently scatter rice-herb mixture over the tahdig in a pyramid shape, making sure lavash is completely covered. Place garlic stalks on top at the outer edges of the rice. Gently poke the handle of a wooden spoon into the rice a few times, being careful not to hit the tahdig; this will allow steam to escape while cooking. Cover and cook until you see steam escaping from the sides of the lid and tahdig starts to set, 10 to 13 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine 1/4 cup boiling water with melted butter and remaining saffron water. Lay a kitchen towel out on a heatproof surface.
• Test the tahdig by quickly tapping the side of the pot with a wooden spoon. When the pot sizzles, remove it from the heat. Remove the lid and place it on the kitchen towel, being careful that none of the condensation drips into the pot. Wrap the towel around the lid and secure the ends at the top by the handle so they will not hang near the heat source. Drizzle the butter mixture over the rice and cover with the towel-wrapped lid.
• Place a heat diffuser on a burner over low or medium-low heat and return the pot to the stove. Cook until crispy, rotating the pot a few times, about 45 minutes. Remove from the heat and place on a damp kitchen towel; let sit, uncovered, for 5 minutes so tahdig will release easily.
• Serve the rice on a platter, garnish with garlic stalks, and remove the tahdig whole or in pieces and serve on the side. Or, invert carefully but quickly (like a cake) onto a serving platter.