Simple Spiced Rice

This is a savory side for many meats. This is a very simple version that would appeal to a wide range of palates.

Step: 1

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, and cook and stir the basmati rice and onion until the rice kernels are coated with butter and the onion is translucent, 5 to 8 minutes. The rice will give off a slightly toasted fragrance. Pour in water, and mix in salt, cinnamon sticks and bay leaf.

Step: 2

Bring the mixture to a boil, and reduce heat to medium-low. Cover the saucepan, and simmer the rice until all the water has disappeared and the rice appears dry, about 18 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve.

Per Serving: 196 calories; protein 3.7g; carbohydrates 38g; fat 3.5g; cholesterol 7.6mg; sodium 605.8mg.

The most obvious way to choose a side dish is to look at your main dish (pasta, chicken, seared tofu) and pick something different. When you’re cooking pasta, go for a simple vegetable . Making steak? Go for something light. If you’re making stir-fry with rice, it must not a good idea to also make a rice salad.

This also can apply to cooking process . You don’t want to overcommit your oven by scheduling three dishes at once in there, or be rounding four pans on the stovetop . But sometimes you can made a dish do more often .