Name: Colorful Vegan Turmeric Rice
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups (275 grams) long grain rice; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 small yellow onion, finely diced; 1 inch (2.5 cm) piece fresh ginger, finely diced; 1/2 tsp cumin seed; 1 tsp turmeric powder; 1 tbsp sunflower oil; 2 1/2 cups (590 ml) water or vegetable broth; Salt to taste

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A great side dish that is both strikingly beautiful and has some nice health benefits.
Text And Photo By Nancy Lopez McHugh

Ever wondered why many curries have a dark orangy-yellow color? Why is American mustard so yellow, or how commercial chicken broth gets a its yellow tint? Turmeric. Turmeric is a rhizome, the stem or roots of a plant that goes underground. Turmeric and ginger are in the same rhizome family. They actually look pretty much the same on the outside until you cut into it and see the ginger is a very light yellow and Turmeric is a vibrant orange color with a hint of yellow. WHFoods describe it as having a “peppery, warm and bitter flavor and a mild fragrance slightly reminiscent of orange and ginger,” I find it to have a very mild smell and taste and therefore a great spice for culinary uses. Turmeric is used as a natural textile and culinary dye, as a condiment, and has been used for centuries in Indian and Chinese medicines for its healing properties. This vibrant spice doesn’t only give food a striking color but it also has so many health benefits.

– natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent

– anti-inflammatory, so used as a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

– detoxifies the liver

– shown to be affective in fighting Alzheimer’s

– natural painkiller

– may help in weight management

– used to treat depression

– used to treat multiple cancers

– antioxidant

– can be used as a Saffron substitute

And the list goes on and on, I suggest you read the WHFoods article for further health information. A very fascinating spice indeed!

Today I have a simple recipe that can turn an ordinary rice dish into a vibrant and beautiful dish. I often prepare it as a side dish for curries, tandoori chicken but it can also be served as a side dish with any other type of food. I use long grain rice but you could also use basmati rice and adjust the liquid amount as needed.

Colorful Vegan Turmeric Rice

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4.8 from 5 reviews

Author: Nancy Lopez-McHugh
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 2-3 servings 1x

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Description

A vibrant and flavorful vegan turmeric rice that transforms ordinary rice into a strikingly beautiful side dish, perfect for pairing with curries or any meal.

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 1/2 cups (275 grams) long grain rice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
1 inch (2.5 cm) piece fresh ginger, finely diced
1/2 tsp cumin seed
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tbsp sunflower oil
2 1/2 cups (590 ml) water or vegetable broth
Salt to taste

Instructions

Heat the sunflower oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once warm, add the finely diced onion and sauté until transparent, about 5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and finely diced ginger to the pan and sauté for another 4 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Stir in the rice, ensuring it is well coated with the oil and spices.
Sprinkle the cumin seeds and turmeric powder over the rice, stirring well to combine.
Pour in the water or vegetable broth and add salt to taste. Stir to combine.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
Once cooked, remove from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork before serving.

Notes

Turmeric can act as a natural dye, so be cautious of staining. Basmati rice can be used instead of long grain rice; adjust liquid as needed. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian