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Rice Pilaf with Carrots and Raisins

Let’s make some delicious and flavorful rice with sweet carrots and raisins! This dish was inspired by my favorite Moroccan carrot salad made with raisins as well as Afghan rice called Qabuli Pulao.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
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Ingredients

RICE

  • 2 cups parboiled Sella basmati rice rinsed, soaked, and drained
  • 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 3 1/2 cups beef broth more as needed
  • 2 teaspoons coriander
  • 2 teaspoons salt less or more to taste, see note below
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

CARROTS AND RAISINS

  • 1 cup raisins soaked in hot water for 10 minutes and drained
  • 2 cups carrots shredded or cut into matchsticks
  • 1 tablespoon ghee
  • 1 teaspoon sugar optional

Instructions 

CARROTS AND RAISINS

  1. To a pan over medium heat, add the ghee and carrots. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the carrots are soft. If you are having trouble getting them soft, add a little water to the pan to soften them up.
  2. Then add the raisins and sugar and saute for another minute. Take off the heat and set aside.

RICE

  1. Rinse the rice under water until it runs clear. Then transfer it to a bowl and allow it to soak in water for 30 minutes to an hour.
  2. In a pot over medium heat, add the ghee and tomato paste. Cook down the tomato paste for 2 to 3 minutes until the color deepens to remove any acidity. Then add the garlic and saute for another minute.
  3. Then add the beef broth along with all the spices for the rice. Mix well and bring to a boil.
  4. Once it comes to a boil, add the rinsed and drained rice. Bring to a boil again and then drop the heat to low and cover. Cook until all the rice has been absorbed and the grains are soft but not too soft, about 12 to 14 minutes. Take it off the heat, and let it sit for 5 minutes before fluffing it up with a fork.
  5. Transfer the rice to your serving dish and top it off with the raisins and carrots. Serve warm!

Notes

  • If using beef broth, make sure to add salt to your taste because every broth has different sodium levels.
  • You can also garnish the rice with fried almond slices or pine nuts or cilantro along with the carrots and raisins.
  • You can also prepare the rice in a rice cooker or Instant Pot if that is what you are most comfortable doing.

Did You Make This Recipe?

If you make this recipe, leave a comment below and let me know how it turns out. I love hearing from you!