| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 35 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | 230 |
| fat | 7.5g |
| saturates | 1.1g |
| carbs | 38g |
| sugars | 10g |
| fibre | 2g |
| protein | 3.5g |
| salt | 0.6g |
From the driftwood-strewn shores of Portland, Maine, where seafood is a lifestyle, I’m always up for a culinary adventure. That’s why this vegetable-rich dish, Rice with Jute Mallow and Spices, has quickly become one of my favorites and why I could not wait to share it with you, dear readers.
A Sea Change from the Usual
Growing up in New England, seafood was my first love. However, the exciting world of flavors beyond the Atlantic’s salty spray was a calling I couldn’t resist. This rice-based dish, with its delightful mix of spices and unusual ingredients, brings a fragrant breath of the exotic to our family table. It’s a culinary adventure that delights my daughters, Erin and Samantha, as much as a fresh lobster roll!
Similar in preparation to pilaf or risotto, our Rice with Jute Mallow and Spices brings together a lovely symphony of textures and flavors. But its standout feature is definitely the jute mallow leaves – a leafy green, comparable with spinach but possessing its own distinctive flavor. They readily absorb the aromatics and spices, lending a unique layer of taste to the final dish.
A Harmony of Flavor and Health
What I love about this dish isn’t just the flavor but also its health benefits. The star ingredient, jute mallow, is a powerhouse of nutrients – a bountiful source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Previous studies have also linked it with a range of promising health benefits, including liver protection, anti-inflammation, and boosting immune functionality.
Additionally, the array of spices – cumin, turmeric, coriander – not only infuse the dish with a warm, comforting depth of flavor but also bring their own health benefits to the table. For instance, turmeric is noted for its high levels of curcumin, a compound known for its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Coupled with the natural sweetness from apple and peach that balances the spice, this dish is as pleasing to your palate as it is beneficial for your health.
Marrying Flavors – Dish Pairings
Given its robust flavor profile, our Rice with Jute Mallow and Spices pairs brilliantly with a variety of dishes. In my opinion, it shines brightest beside a simply grilled fish or a lean meat like chicken or turkey. On the other hand, if you want to keep things vegetarian, a cucumber raita or a crunchy cucumber-tomato salad would beautifully complement and offset the dish’s richness.
So, here’s to forging new culinary paths, exploring flavors from other shores while always remaining tethered to our own roots. Happy cooking!
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups Basmati rice
- 4 cups Water
- 2 cups Jute Mallow leaves
- 1 large Sweet Onion, diced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon Coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon Garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon Red chili powder
- 1 large Apple, diced
- 1 large Peach, diced
- Salt to taste
Method
Step One
Start by washing the Basmati rice until the water runs clear. After washing, soak the rice in 4 cups of water for 30 minutes, then drain.
Step Two
In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onions become transparent.
Step Three
Now add the cumin seeds, turmeric powder, coriander powder, garam masala, and red chili powder to the frying pan. Stir well until the onion and garlic are well coated with the spices.
Step Four
Incorporate the jute mallow leaves to the pan, then stir-fry for a couple of minutes until the leaves start to wilt.
Step Five
Add the soaked and drained rice to the pan. Stir to combine all the ingredients, making sure the rice grains are coated with the spice and oil mixture.
Step Six
Now add 4 cups of water and salt to taste. Stir it once, then cover the pan. Let the rice cook on medium flame until all the water has evaporated, this could take 15-20 minutes.
Step Seven
When the rice is almost done, add the diced apple and peach to the pan. Fold the fruits into the mixture, then cover the pan again and let it cook for another 5 minutes.
Step Eight
Switch off the flame and let the cooked rice sit covered for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together. Fluff the rice with a fork before serving.
