Rice, Saudi Style

Recipe origin: Saudi Arabia

Ingredients

• 3 cups rice
• 1 Tablespoon oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• ½ cup golden raisins
• 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
• ½ teaspoon cloves
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 Tablespoon cardamom (ground, not whole pods)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 Tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
• ¼ cup slivered almonds, toasted

Note: To toast pine nuts and almonds, heat a small amount of olive oil in a skillet. Add nuts and cook, shaking the pan frequently, until nuts are golden in color.

Procedure

1. Measure rice into a bowl, cover with cold water, and allow to soak for 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, cook onions and garlic in oil over medium heat in a large saucepan.
3. After the rice has been soaking for 15 minutes, add it with tomato paste and raisins to the meat mixture.
4. Add seasoning (cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, salt, and pepper) and stir to combine. Lower heat and cover.
5. Allow to simmer for about 10 minutes. Check to be sure the mixture isn't too dry. If there is no more liquid visible, add a little more water (½ cup at a time).
6. Continue simmering for about 10 more minutes, until rice is tender.
7. Serve dish garnished with the toasted nuts and accompanied by plain yogurt.