Winter Warm Rice Dish (Printable)
Basmati rice cooked with kale, squash, peas, and warm spices for a nourishing winter meal.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Grains & Broth
01 - 1 1/2 cups basmati or long-grain rice
02 - 3 cups vegetable broth
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 cup diced carrots
04 - 1 cup diced butternut squash
05 - 1 cup chopped kale or spinach
06 - 1/2 cup frozen peas
07 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Spices & Aromatics
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1 teaspoon ground coriander
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 - 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
13 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
15 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Optional Garnishes
16 - 2 tablespoons toasted slivered almonds
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
# How-To Steps:
01 - Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in the carrots, butternut squash, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, turmeric, black pepper, and salt. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Add the rinsed rice and mix well to coat the grains with the spices and oil.
05 - Pour in the vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 12 minutes.
06 - Stir in the kale (or spinach) and frozen peas. Cover again and cook for 5–7 minutes, until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
07 - Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork, top with toasted almonds and chopped parsley if desired, and serve warm.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pot, leaving you with minimal cleanup on those nights when even loading the dishwasher feels like too much effort
- The combination of cinnamon and cumin creates this incredible aroma that fills your entire house and makes everyone wander into the kitchen asking whats for dinner
02 -
- The resting period is not optional—those 5 minutes off heat let the moisture redistribute evenly through the rice
- If your rice is still crunchy after the suggested time, add a splash more broth and continue cooking, checking every 2 minutes
03 -
- Finely dice the vegetables so they cook through in the same time as the rice
- Let your rice come to room temperature before refrigerating to prevent condensation from making it soggy