This easy Turmeric Rice (yellow rice) is a savory and delicious yet simple side dish that anyone can easily make at home. It goes well with curry and grilled chicken or beef.
This Easy Turmeric Rice Recipe also offers a soft and fluffy texture that goes perfectly well with the delightful aroma that the condiments had contributed to the rice.
Another good thing about this dish is that anyone can eat it at any meal of the day. It serves well as a breakfast, and it is also one of the adequate food at lunch. Including it in the dinner menu is also just as good, depending on the number of servings.
The seasonings and condiments used in this recipe wholly heighten the plainness of the rice to produce remarkable and mouthwatering flavors. However, despite the flavors and taste of the rice, other dishes can still go along with it.
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The Origin of Turmeric Rice
Many countries claim as the origin place of Turmeric Rice, from India to Turkey and other Asian countries, yet, It has become closely recognized as a Philippine dish that came from the island of Mindanao and is an essential food among the Maranao people of Lanao del Sur.
Ruby Leonora Balistoy wrote in a 2009 cultural article that Filipinos originally named Turmeric Rice as Kuning. This version includes spices to taste like lemongrass, turmeric, bay leaves, and salt. Filipinos made it clear that Kuning would not be Kuning without its yellowish color of turmeric.
Eventually, Kuning became widely known that many countries adapted it but with more alterations and improvements. Some added more spices; others served it along with their national delicacies.
Why Does This Recipe Works?
Browsing through the many websites on the internet, one can find numerous variations of making and preparing this Indian rice. However, this particular recipe ensures greater satisfaction to your appetite due to the following reasons:
- It is budget-friendly.
- It does not take much time to make, and it is easy to prepare without the hustle and bustle of a complicated dish.
- The ingredients are not hard to find. You may find them in your nearest convenience store or supermarket!
- It is an excellent side dish to eat when you are seeking something healthy yet delicious.
Ingredients
- Long-grain white rice: In this recipe, long-grain rice is suitable because the cooked grains are drier and more separate since long-grain rice contains less starch. Hence, it will provide a softer and fluffier texture rice needs. You may also use Basmati rice or brown rice.
- Turmeric: Its an essential ingredient as it gives an earthy-sweet and almost spicy taste. Thus it is responsible for providing a prominent flavor to the dish. Turmeric is also the one giving the yellowish hue to the rice.
- Onion: Sauteed onions give dishes a rich umami flavor and a subtle sweetness. Plus, it also adds texture and flavor to foods.
- Garlic: Just like an onion, garlic adds a sweeter flavor to foods. It has a strong flavor that may spread throughout the dish. Onion and garlic, when sauteed together, serves as aromatics. Skipping this out of the recipe will make the whole dish bland and incomplete.
- Salt: For seasoning the rice and enhance the flavors of the onion and garlic.
- Olive Oil: It is the best choice for sauteing onion and garlic since it has a lower smoke point. Not to mention that olive oil has more monounsaturated fat than other oils, making it an excellent choice for heart-healthy cooking.
- Bay Leaves: To add a more distinctive flavor and fragrance, put bay leaves to the dish.
- Water: It helps soften the starch in rice grains since it gets absorbed by the grains, so water is needed to accomplish the desired texture of this recipe.
- Parsley: A slight drizzle and dazzle with garnishing parsley will make the whole dish look elegant and classic. You may replace it with chopped cilantro.
Instructions
One: Rinse the rice and put it in a colander to get rid of the excess water.
Two: Heat the olive oil in a medium-size pot or saucepan, then add the finely chopped onion and saute' for 1 minute or until it becomes translucent, then add the garlic and saute' for 30 seconds.
Three: Stir in the rice, salt, ground turmeric, bay leaves and water, put the lid on. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to very low and cook for 10-15 minutes or until fully cooked.
Four: Turn off the heat, use a fork to fluff the rice, garnish with some chopped parsley (optional) then serve.
Top Tips!
- To ensure a fluffy texture, make sure that you rinse the rice well to remove the extra starch from the grains.
- Saute the onion and garlic in medium-low heat to avoid burning them and to achieve a perfect aroma.
- Do not overcook the rice! Lest it becomes burned, or the grains will become too bloated for anyone's liking.
Recipe Variation
- You may saute the onion and garlic with melted butter or coconut oil instead of olive oil if you desire a tone of a buttery taste to your rice.
- Add a cinnamon stick or 2-3 cloves or cardamom.
- Do you prefer a spicy dish? Add a pinch of chili powder to complement the earthy-sweet flavor of turmeric!
- Some Asian countries argue that the rice and meat combo is a perfect meal. Why not throw in some chicken broth to the rice.
- If you prefer a dish with a vegetarian touch, add vegetables such as carrots, green beans, and peas. Make sure to dice them, though.
Serving Suggestions
This rice recipe goes well with different meat, but grilled chicken, lamb, and beef are the best ones. The rugged texture and juicy flavor of those dishes go well with the soft and fluffy texture of the rice. It is also perfect side dish to serve with chicken curry.
Storage
Store: Most people will agree that rice is best eaten fresh. However, you may still store the dish in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
Freeze: Store in a ziplock bag in the freezer for 1-2 months.
Reheat: Add a splash of water to the rice and reheat it in the microwave until it is piping hot.
Recipe FAQs
You should have rinsed the rice thoroughly before cooking it since the water will remove the extra starch from the grains. Remember that the starch disables the grains to be fluffy and soft. Consider waiting for five to ten minutes before fluffing the rice so that the grains could settle first from the heat.
You can make this dish with long-grain rice, basmati rice or Jasmine rice.
Turmeric has many health benefits, such as it is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial. It also helps with some heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Yes, this is vegan and gluten free recipe.
It has an earthy with a bit of peppery spice taste. It has a really strong flavor, and it is one of the primary spices in curry powder.
Easy Rice Recipes
- Chicken And Rice Soup
- Spicy Rice And Spinach Stew
- One-Pot Chicken And Rice
- One Pan Prawns And Rice
- Rice Kofta - Egyptian Recipe
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Recipe
Easy Turmeric Rice Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups long-grain rice
- 1.5 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 onion , minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2.5 cups water
- 1 tablespoon Chopped parsley , optional to garnish
Instructions
- Rinse the rice and put it in a colander to get rid of the excess water.
- Heat the olive oil in a medium-size pot or saucepan, then add the finely chopped onion and saute' for 1 minute or until it becomes translucent, then add the garlic and saute' for 30 seconds.1 onion, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 3 cloves garlic
- Rinse the rice, drain and add it along with salt, turmeric, bay leaves and water, stir. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to very low and cook for 10-15 minutes or until fully cooked.1.5 cups long-grain rice, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 bay leaves, 2.5 cups water, 1.5 teaspoon turmeric
- Turn off the heat, use a fork to fluff the rice, garnish with some chopped parsley (optional) then serve.1 tablespoon Chopped parsley
Notes
- To ensure a fluffy texture, make sure that you rinse the rice well to remove the excess starch from the grains.
- Saute the onion and garlic in medium-low heat to avoid burning them and to achieve a perfect aroma.
- Do not overcook the rice! Lest it becomes burned, or the grains will become too bloated for anyone's liking.
- You may saute the onion and garlic with melted butter instead of olive oil if you desire a tone of a buttery taste to your turmeric rice.
- Do you prefer a spicy dish? Add a pinch of chili powder to complement the earthy-sweet flavor of turmeric!
- Some Asian countries argue that the rice and meat combo is a perfect meal. Why not throw in some chicken broth to the rice?
- If you prefer a dish with a vegetarian touch, add vegetables such as carrots, green beans, and peas. Make sure to dice them, though.
Nutrition
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Ella
My kids love this rice - They always ask me to make ' yellow rice' - A great recipe. Thanks!
Chloe
This is a good recipe. I never heard of this rice before, but now I can say it is delicious.
Mark
Good side dish, I served it with baked chicken thighs. It was a lovely meal.
Mia
The rice is fo fluffy and flavourful. I love it.
Robin H
My go-to rice recipe. Especially with baked or grilled chicken.