Add a festive flair to your holiday table with this colorful and flavorful Christmas Rice. With vibrant red and green bell peppers, aromatic spices, and fluffy golden rice, this dish is both visually stunning and deliciously satisfying. Perfect as a side dish or a centerpiece for any Christmas gathering, it’s easy to make and sure to impress your guests!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups uncooked rice (e.g., golden sella basmati rice)
- 3 large bell peppers (green and red, diced)
- 1/2 cup onion (finely chopped)
- 2 large garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tablespoon bouillon powder (reserve about 1/2 teaspoon for garnish)
- 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Red pepper flakes (to taste)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon mixed spice (optional, e.g., pumpkin pie spice)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions:
- Wash the Rice: Rinse the rice in cold water until the water runs clear. Cook the rice according to package instructions, ensuring it remains fluffy and not overly soft. Set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the vegetable oil and butter in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Cook the Vegetables: Add the diced bell peppers to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften while retaining their bright color. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper to enhance their flavor.
- Season the Rice: Reduce the heat and stir in the bouillon powder, Italian seasoning, mixed spice (if using), and red pepper flakes. Mix well to evenly coat the vegetables.
- Combine the Rice and Vegetables: Add the cooked rice to the skillet with the seasoned vegetables. Gently stir to combine, ensuring the rice is well-coated with the spices and evenly mixed with the peppers and onions.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the rice and adjust seasoning as needed, adding a little more bouillon powder, salt, or pepper for depth.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the reserved 1/2 teaspoon bouillon powder over the rice for added flavor. Serve warm as a festive side dish or a light main course.
Conclusion:
This Festive Christmas Rice is a simple yet elegant dish that will add color and flavor to your holiday feast. The buttery, spiced rice combined with sweet and savory bell peppers makes it a delightful accompaniment to any main course. Celebrate the season with this easy-to-make recipe that’s sure to become a holiday tradition!
Festive Christmas Rice
A vibrant and aromatic rice dish featuring red andgreen bell peppers, seasoned with Italian spices and butter, perfect forholiday celebrations.
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked rice e.g., golden sella basmati rice
- 3 large bell peppers green and red, diced
- 1/2 cup onion finely chopped
- 2 large garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon bouillon powder reserve about 1/2 teaspoon for garnish
- 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Red pepper flakes to taste
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon mixed spice optional, e.g., pumpkin pie spice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash the Rice: Rinse the rice in cold water until the water runs clear. Cook the rice according to package instructions, ensuring it remains fluffy and not overly soft. Set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the vegetable oil and butter in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Cook the Vegetables: Add the diced bell peppers to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften while retaining their bright color. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper to enhance their flavor.
- Season the Rice: Reduce the heat and stir in the bouillon powder, Italian seasoning, mixed spice (if using), and red pepper flakes. Mix well to evenly coat the vegetables.
- Combine the Rice and Vegetables: Add the cooked rice to the skillet with the seasoned vegetables. Gently stir to combine, ensuring the rice is well-coated with the spices and evenly mixed with the peppers and onions.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the rice and adjust seasoning as needed, adding a little more bouillon powder, salt, or pepper for depth.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the reserved 1/2 teaspoon bouillon powder over the rice for added flavor. Serve warm as a festive side dish or a light main course.