Ginger turmeric basmati aromatic rice – a unique and delicious Middle Eastern side dish perfect for pairing with your favorite entrees.
This blows instant white rice out of the freaking water.
When I was a kid, 62% of what I ate was white rice with butter and soy sauce. The end.
Okay, 78%.
Carbs + Fat + Sodium = Scrumtrulescence to the nth degree, which is why 91% of what I ate as a child was white rice with butter and soy. There may have been a canned pea in there somewhere, but not by my own choosing.
As an quasi adult, this Ginger and Turmeric Aromatic Rice is the butter and soy to my rice. It’s an all grown-up version of a comforting dish. I recommend it henceforth be the replacement for all your rices, not just because it’s tasty, but also because it includes the magical root, turmeric.
Which brings me to my next point. For today’s edition of root vegetables 101, we’re talking about turmeric.
You guys, this plant is insane. No matter your feelings on root vegetables, or vegetables in general, your life needs to be infused with turmeric. It will make you all the healthies.
What the Hillary Swank is Aromatic Rice?
The title has a therapeutic ring to it, but what is it?
What is Aromatic Rice?
Aromatic rice is simply medium or long-grain basmati or jasmine rice. It has a nutty flavor, is commonly prepared with saffron threads or ground turmeric, and is typically incorporated into Asian, Indian, North African, and Middle Eastern cuisine.
Some cultures serve aromatic rice with fresh chopped cilantro, pine nuts, and/or dried fruit. The rice adds vibrance and flavor to a meal, and is served alongside sauce-y vegetarian or meat dishes.
I have shown you turmeric in smoothie-form with my Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie, Beet, Turmeric, and Mango Smoothie, and Mango Lassi recipes; however, it’s high time we cook with it.
What is Turmeric?
Turmeric is from the root of the Curcuma longa (any botanists in the house? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?), which is a leafy plant related to ginger.
For such a small root, turmeric packs an insanely healthful punch and has been touted in the medical industry for its ability to prevent and fight cancer.
Let’s talk basics.
Turmeric 101:
What does turmeric look like?: Put simply, turmeric looks like the orange version of ginger root, only its smaller than ginger. The orange peel gives way to a bright orange interior. Careful, because although turmeric’s color is brilliant and pretty, it stains your clothes, plastic, and wood.
What does turmeric taste like?: Turmeric may look like ginger, but it tastes nothing like it. It has a peppery and bitter flavor. The fresh version does have a slight creaminess to it, the way fresh ginger has. Be careful with how much turmeric you use, lest your dish end up with a bitter flavor.
Health benefits of turmeric: Turmeric has been used as a natural remedy in Chinese and Indian culture for centuries. It is a natural anti-inflammatory, and has been used to treat jaundice, inflammatory bowel disease, cystic fibrosis, arthritis, and cancer. Turmeric also eases digestive discomfort, and boosts your immune system. Full of antioxidants, turmeric helps cleanse and heal your liver.
How to select and store fresh turmeric: Choose fresh turmeric that is firm with an un-damaged peel. Store turmeric in a plastic bag in the crisper of your refrigerator. It should last between 3 and 4 weeks. If it hasn’t been cut or damaged, you can store whole turmeric roots in a root cellar for a couple of months.
How to cook with fresh turmeric: In order to cook with it, peel the skin using a paring knife and either finely chop it or grate it. You can use it in the same types of dishes you would ginger, and most curry dishes call for turmeric.
In the past, I’ve used ground turmeric for aromatic rice, but this time around I used fresh. I also added fresh ginger and garlic, dried cranberries, and pine nuts. The rice comes out full of color and fresh flavor.
I enjoy the rice with Chicken Tikka Masala and Paleo Butter Chicken, and will definitely be making it time and again when I cook ethnic food.
I’ve used both brown rice and white basmati rice in this dish and love them both equally. Be sure to read the instructions on the back of the package of rice you’re using if you go with anything other than white basmati. Brown rice will require more water and cook time.
Turmeric. It un-does all your debaucherous doings. Do that.
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Ginger and Turmeric Aromatic Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup white basmati rice
- 1.5 cups water
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil (or oil of choice)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger peeled and grated
- 1 teaspoon fresh turmeric peeled and grated*
- 1 teaspoon sea salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup dried cranberries
For serving:
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
- ¼ cup pine nuts toasted
Instructions
- Add all ingredients for the rice except for the dried cranberries to a small pot, cover, and bring to a full boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, covered, until rice has absorbed all liquid, 15 minutes (or according to package instructions). NOTE: if using a rice other than white basmati rice, follow package instructions for amount of water and cook time.
- A few minutes before rice is finished cooking, stir the dried cranberries into the rice - this allows them to plump up and lends more flavor to the rice. Re-place the cover and continue to cook.
- Taste rice for flavor and add more sea salt if desired. Serve with fresh cilantro and pine nuts alongside your favorite main dish.
We call it in India Lemon Rice
I freakin’ love turmeric. It’s like a sweet potato coloured ginger cousin. Your rice looks wonderful.
Oh mah gosh I can just SMELL these spices!!! Get in mah belly. PS–rice with buttah and soy sauce is mildy underrated.
I swear, whenever I feel even a little bit sore, I chow down on some turmeric-stuffed meals and I am CURED. it is like a miracle drug.
Love this richly flavorful rice!
This is 100% amazing. The end 😉
I am not a big white rice person, but aromatic rices like this? With all of these delightful flavors? Yes, yes, and yes!!!
So glad you like it, Sues! Let me know if you give it a go!
I love the things you do with food. For real. My belly thanks you.
Right back atcha, sister! I’m pretty obsessed with your food craftswomanship. It’s a mind blow!
I love the simplicity of this rice and fresh turmeric! Never played around with fresh turmeric. It’s beautiful! And love your bowl 🙂 Yeay to World Market 🙂
Thanks, Katya! I was a World Market fiend/frequenter until I realized I own every single one of their dishes, ha! I would just die if they got new inventory!
I’ve only ever used ground turmeric. Looking forward to trying the fresh stuff. This rice looks amazing!
Let me know how you like it when you do! xo
My little sister would literally eat nothing but rice with butter for years. She might willingly mix the rice with cream of chicken soup, but trying to get her to eat anything else (especially for breakfast) resulted in a full psycho-meltdown, the details of which would make even the craziest of crazies say “woah”. This rice definitely looks like it’s worth falling in love with and committing monogamously to, at least for a couple of dinners, but I’ll try to avoid the tantrums when it’s time for something else.
LOL, the things kids eat always crack me up. I’m sure she’ll grow up to be just like you and expand upon the things she’ll try and eat. Although, I’m not gonna lie: rice + butter + cream of chicken soup sounds amazeballs.
You must have read my mind! I am sooo looking for more ways to get tumeric into my diet to help with my creaky fingers (not joking). Love me some aromatic rice, and the color is awesome! BTW, I grew up on Minute Rice with butter, sugar & cinnamon.
Oh yes, the brown sugar and cinnamon rice was the dessert after the butter and soy sauce rice. We’re two birds of a feather, I tell ya!
Botanist (of sorts) here… I’ve actually seen fresh turmeric at the Kitty Hawk NC Harris Teeter. Never cooked with it, though. I’ve thought about buying some to take home with me, but we’re going home the long way this time, visiting friends and family, but I’ll definitely try this with the ground turmeric until I can get some fresh.
YES! I knew someone here would know botany-speak! I’m so glad you’re going to try fresh turmeric. It really is lots of fun to cook with. Just be sure you avoid putting it on anything you would prefer to not be yellow, haha! Enjoy!
I love it when you edumacate me. Turmeric is some magical sheisse and I need this rice in my life ASAP. Can you deliver it to me please? I promise I tip well. 😉
Not only does this rice look delicious, but it’s so pretty! All rice should be vibrant and colorful.
Thanks, my ladies! Turmeric definitely has all sorts of ish going on, and certainly does make for a puh-retty rice. Let’s get togethers and eat rice for dinner, mmkay? Great!
I usually work with dried tumeric, but that fresh tumeric is gorgeous!! Love the looks of this rice, too pretty!
I usually work with dried tumeric, but that fresh tumeric is gorgeous!! Love the looks of this rice, too pretty!
Thanks, girl! If your store carries fresh turmeric, I definitely recommend trying it! It’s always fun to see where those bottled spices come from, and it’s fun/easy to cook with 😀
This rice looks amazing! I love to add turmeric to whatever I can – the health benefits are pretty awesome! Now I want Indian food for lunch! 🙂
Kudos to you for incorporating turmeric in your cooking! It’s definitely not a plant most people think about, but it’s amazing how powerful it is from a health standpoint. Enjoy your Indian food, m’dear!