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Arroz à grega
Arroz à grega: Rio's festive rice with carrot, peas, peppers and raisins
Nothing Greek about it: the name is pure Brazilian whimsy, and every carioca Christmas and New Year's Eve table has a big platter of this colourful rice next to the roast. Long-grain rice is cooked with onion and garlic and then tossed with diced carrot, peas, red pepper, raisins and spring onion, so each spoonful is savoury, a little sweet and full of colour. It also turns up at weekend lunches and as a side with grilled vegetables or bean dishes. Most people overload the pan and steam everything together, which turns the vegetables dull and soft. Cook the rice and the vegetables separately and fold them together at the end. Chef's tip: soak the raisins in a little hot water for 10 minutes; they plump up and don't pull moisture out of the rice.
- Total time
- 35 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Put 1 ¾ oz raisins in a cup, cover with hot water and leave for 10 minutes. Drain.
10 minStep 2: Warm two-thirds of 2 ⅛ tbsp olive oil in a pan over a medium heat. Add 1 onion and cook for 3 minutes, until soft, then add 2 cloves garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4 minStep 3: Stir in 10 ½ oz long-grain white rice and cook for 2 minutes, until the grains are coated and look slightly translucent at the edges.
2 minStep 4: Add 2 ½ cups boiling water and 1 ½ tsp salt, bring to the boil, then cover and cook over a low heat for 15 minutes, until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender. Leave covered off the heat for 5 minutes.
15 minStep 5: Meanwhile warm the rest of ⅞ tbsp olive oil in a frying pan over a medium-high heat and stir-fry 1 carrot and ½ red pepper for 4 minutes, until just tender. Add 3 ½ oz frozen peas and cook for 2 minutes more, until bright green.
6 minStep 6: Fluff the rice with a fork and fold in the vegetables, raisins and 3 spring onions. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 270 kcal
- Protein
- 5 g
- Carbs
- 50 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does arroz à grega take?
- About 35 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of garlic?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
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