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Ruz hasawi
Ruz hasawi (رز حساوي): nutty red rice of the Al-Ahsa oasis with whole spices
Grown in the flooded fields of the Al-Ahsa oasis for centuries, Hasawi rice is a short, reddish grain with a nutty, almost earthy taste, and in Hofuf it is still served beside fish stews, saloona and grilled hamour at family lunches. It cooks up chewy and separate rather than fluffy, and it is valued in the Eastern Province as a healthy, filling grain. Outside Saudi Arabia, a Himalayan or Camargue red rice is a fair substitute. The biggest mistake is treating it like white rice: it needs a long soak, more water and around 40 minutes of gentle cooking. Serve with any stew or simply with yogurt and pickles. Chef's tip: let the cooked rice rest off the heat with a cloth under the lid for 10 minutes so the grains finish swelling.
- Total time
- 75 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 onionfinely chopped
- 3 green cardamom podslightly crushed
- 1 cinnamon sticksmall
- 3 cloves
- 1 dried black limepierced
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 ¼ cups boiling water
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Rinse 10 ½ oz Hasawi red rice (or other red rice) well, then soak in cold water for 20 minutes and drain.
20 minStep 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy pot over a medium heat. Fry 1 onion until soft and golden, 6–7 minutes.
7 minStep 3: Add 3 green cardamom pods, 1 cinnamon stick, 3 cloves, 1 dried black lime and ½ tsp cumin seeds and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 4: Add the drained rice and stir for 2 minutes to coat each grain in the spiced oil.
2 minStep 5: Pour in 3 ¼ cups boiling water and add 1 tsp salt. Bring to the boil, then cover tightly and cook on the lowest heat until the water is absorbed and the grains are tender but still chewy, about 40 minutes. Check at 30 minutes and add a splash of hot water if it is dry.
40 minStep 6: Turn off the heat, lay a clean tea towel under the lid and rest for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and lift out the whole spices before serving.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 330 kcal
- Protein
- 7 g
- Carbs
- 62 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does ruz hasawi take?
- About 75 minutes in total: 25 minutes to prepare and 50 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 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 hasawi red rice (or other red rice)?
- Any long-grain rice, same amount.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
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