Source: Victoria, AdobeStock Rice itself is an excellent side dish, but sometimes you crave something more exciting than just plain boiled grains. For such occasions, we've prepared a selection of various rice-based recipes – with vegetables, mushrooms, cheese, in sauces, and with other additions. Choose a variation to suit your taste and mood!
1. Rice with Egg and Green Peas
Source: pinterest.comA light Chinese recipe for lovers of Asian cuisine.
You will need: 1 cup rice, 3 eggs, 100 g green peas, 50 ml soy sauce, 3 cloves garlic, spices.
Preparation: Cook rice until done. Whisk eggs with spices. Mince garlic, sauté it in a small amount of oil, and pour in the egg. Stir the omelet to scramble it into pieces. When it's slightly set, add the peas and cook together for a few minutes, stirring. Add rice and soy sauce, mix, and heat the dish for another couple of minutes.
2. Rice and Bulgur Porridge
Source: mirtesen.ruTurmeric gives this side dish a beautiful golden hue.
You will need: 150 g rice, 150 g bulgur, 1 onion, 1 carrot, 1 clove garlic, 1 bell pepper, 1 tsp turmeric, 1/2 tsp cumin, spices.
Preparation: Thinly slice the vegetables and sauté for 5 minutes over medium heat. Add bulgur and fry for another 1 minute, stirring, then add rice and fry for another 1 minute. Season to taste and pour in water so that it covers the contents of the pan by 15 mm. Simmer the porridge for 20 minutes, covered, over low heat.
3. Green Rice
Source: shafigullina.ruAn incredibly aromatic side dish with a very appetizing green tint.
You will need: 150 g rice, 50 g butter, 35 g cilantro, 35 g dill, 35 g green onions, 250 ml water, spices.
Preparation: Rinse the rice, pat it dry slightly, and sauté for a few minutes in 15 g of butter. Pour in water, bring to a boil, and cook for about 15 minutes, covered. In a blender, finely chop all the herbs with a spoonful of water, add to the rice, and also add spices and the remaining butter. Mix and simmer the rice for another 5 minutes over low heat.
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4. Rice with Apples and Dried Fruits
Source: AdobeStockThis side dish is especially well-suited for main courses with poultry.
You will need: 1 cup rice, 2 cups water, 250 g dried fruits, 1 apple, 1 pear, 1 carrot, spices.
Preparation: Rinse and finely chop the dried fruits. Dice the apple, pear, and carrot into small cubes. Sauté the carrot for a couple of minutes until soft, then add the fresh and dried fruits. Fry a little longer, stirring. Add the washed rice and fry for another 1 minute. Add hot water and spices to taste. Simmer the side dish, covered, for 20 minutes over low heat.
5. Rice with Beans in Tomato Sauce
Source: mirichi.ruA hearty side dish that can be a standalone Lenten meal.
You will need: 150 g round rice, 200 g canned red beans, 60 g tomato sauce, 70 g onion, 1 clove garlic, 1 tsp paprika, spices.
Preparation: Mince and sauté the onion until golden. Add garlic and after 1 minute, add the rinsed rice. Fry for another 3 minutes, stirring. Add spices, mix, pour in 350 ml of boiling water, and simmer the rice, covered, over low heat until done. Add beans and tomato sauce, mix, and simmer the dish for another 2 minutes.
6. Rice and Millet Porridge
Source: ideireceptov.ruFor an even creamier texture, cook it with regular or plant-based milk.
You will need: 100 g millet, 100 g rice, 500 ml water, 35 g butter, salt.
Preparation: Rinse the rice and millet, cover them with boiling water, and cook together until done, about 20 minutes. Add butter and salt, and let it steep for another 5-7 minutes, covered, on a turned-off stove.
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7. Rice with Lentils
Source: ohotamyasa.ruIn Armenian cuisine, this dish is known as Majadra.
You will need: 1 cup rice, 1 cup lentils, 3 onions, olive oil, salt, cumin.
Preparation: Rinse the lentils and cook until soft according to package instructions. Slice the onions into half-rings, sauté them in oil until golden, add spices, and heat for another 2 minutes. Add lentils and rinsed rice, then pour in boiling water until everything is completely covered. Cook the dish, covered, for 15-20 minutes over low heat.
8. Rice with Cabbage in a Skillet
Source: volgastory.ruStewed vegetables with rice perfectly complement any meat or fish.
You will need: 1 cup rice, 500 g cabbage, 100 g onion, 50 g carrot, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1.5 cups water, spices.
Preparation: Mince the onion, grate the carrot, and sauté them until soft for about 7-8 minutes. Add the shredded cabbage, season, and simmer for 10 minutes over medium heat, stirring. Add tomato paste, rinsed rice, and water, mix everything together, and simmer for another 20-25 minutes over low heat until done.
9. Casserole with Rice, Potatoes, and Vegetables
Source: novyefoto.ruThis unusual dish is sure to attract attention even on a festive table.
You will need: 100 g rice, 400 g potatoes, 1 onion, 150 g carrots, 2 tomatoes, 200 ml canned tomatoes, 450 ml cream, spices, aromatic herbs, garlic.
Preparation: Boil potatoes until par-cooked. Thinly slice the onion and carrot, sauté them until soft, and add the rinsed rice. Fry everything together for 3-4 minutes and add garlic with spices. Pour in cream and canned tomatoes, and simmer for another 7-10 minutes.
Thinly slice the potatoes, arrange them in a baking dish, top with rice and vegetables, and arrange tomato slices. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius.
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10. Rice in Tomato Sauce
Source: nyafoto.ruYou can add a little chopped cilantro or parsley to the cooked rice.
You will need: 1 cup rice, 2 cups water, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 2 cloves garlic, 10 g ginger, 1/2 chili pepper, spices.
Preparation: Mince garlic, ginger, and chili, and sauté them for 1 minute directly in the pot. Add tomato paste and spices, and cook together for 3 minutes. Add the rinsed rice, mix, and fry for another 1 minute. Pour in hot water and cook everything together over medium heat until the rice is done.
11. Rice with Vegetables in a Skillet
Source: postila.ruA versatile side dish with fresh or frozen vegetables.
You will need: 160 g rice, 1 carrot, 1/2 onion, 65 g green peas, 1/2 bell pepper, 65 g corn, aromatic herbs, spices.
Preparation: Chop all vegetables as desired and sauté for 5-7 minutes over medium heat. Add the rinsed rice, season, and fry for another 1 minute. Pour in water until it completely covers everything, bring to a boil, and simmer, covered, over low heat until the rice is done.
12. Rice in Sour Cream with Cheese
Source: pinterest.comAn unusual rice side dish, baked in the oven.
You will need: 250 g rice, 350 g sour cream, 200 g hard cheese, 200 g corn, 1 bell pepper, 1/2 red onion, 20 g herbs, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp olive oil, spices.
Preparation: Rinse the rice, chop the vegetables as desired, grate the cheese, and mince the garlic with herbs. Sauté the onion and pepper in oil until soft. Cook the rice until par-cooked. Mix all ingredients together and place in a baking dish. Bake for half an hour in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius.
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13. Rice with Spinach
Source: dzen.ruWill surely appeal to those who follow a healthy diet.
You will need: 250 g rice, 3 cloves garlic, 300 g spinach, spices.
Preparation: Mince the onion and sauté for a few minutes until soft. Add garlic and spinach, mix, and simmer for another 1 minute. Add the rinsed rice, season, mix, and pour in water to cover the rice by 2 fingers. Simmer everything, covered, for 15 minutes after boiling over low heat. Optionally, you can add cheese, butter, or herbs at the end of cooking.
14. Rice with Pumpkin
Source: vegecrimea.ruTo make the side dish more uniform, you can grate the pumpkin.
You will need: 150 g rice, 300 g pumpkin, 60 g carrot, 60 g onion, spices.
Preparation: Chop the onion and carrot, sauté them for a couple of minutes, and add the chopped pumpkin. Season and fry for another 5-6 minutes, stirring. Add the rinsed rice and pour in about 320 ml of boiling water. Mix everything together and simmer until done for 20-25 minutes, covered, over low heat.
15. Rice with Mushrooms and Soy Sauce
Source: attuale.ruIf using wild mushrooms, pre-boil them for about 15 minutes.
You will need: 200 g round rice, 200 g mushrooms, 80 g onion, 60 g carrot, 2 tbsp tomato sauce, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp khmeli-suneli, spices.
Preparation: Slice the mushrooms, sauté for 5 minutes, and add the minced onion and carrot. Fry everything together for another 5 minutes. Add the rinsed rice and all other ingredients, mix, and pour in approximately 450 ml of boiling water. Simmer the dish for 25 minutes, covered, over low heat until the rice is done.