FOOD NEWS
Turmeric Gives White Rice A Flavor Increase Without Salt Or Oil
BY NIKITA EPHANOV
To spice up classic white rice, add a teaspoon of ground turmeric straight into the cooking water. The result will have an attractive yellow hue and an earthy, peppery flavor.
Variations of turmeric rice (sometimes called yellow rice) exist in cuisines around the world, pairing up with many more complex flavorings.
The pairing melds with a range of weeknight meals, such as pan-fried fish, vegetable curry, or a simple rice bowl, so feel free to experiment and be inspired by other cultures.
For example, in South India, it's made with whole spices like cumin, cardamom, clove, bay leaf, and mace. Preparation involves sautéing the aromatics in butter.
In Indonesia, where the dish is called nasi kuning, the rice is combined with coconut milk, lemongrass, pandan, ginger, and kaffir lime leaves for a tropical take.
Colombian yellow rice recipe makes turmeric rice with savory chicken broth, and lastly, for Brazilian galinhada, it’s integrated into a chicken marinade, and cooked into the rice.