Rice with zahra and louz

I could eat rice every day.  I think it’s synonymous with most Middle Eastern foods.  However, rice is a relatively new food to the region being brought by the Ottoman Empire when it came south.  Before that Palestinians used Freekah or burghul in their cooking.

This is a simple and delicious rice dish that everyone loves.  I normally serve it with chicken and salad.

ingredients

1 cup rice

1 cauliflower

Large handful of skinless almonds (if you boil the almonds the skin comes right off)

small handful of pinenuts

Vegetable oil

1/2 pomegranate, seeded

 

method

1. Rinse the rice until the water runs clear, the add it to a saucepan with 2 cups of water and salt
2. Bring the rice to the boil, the reduce to a simmer and cover with a lid until all the water is gone (about 20 minutes)
3. Meanwhile toast the nuts on a small frying pan on a medium heat (about 20 mins) and deep fry the cauliflower florets (about 5-8 mins) in the vegetable oil
4. Serve the rice and cover with the almonds, cauliflower and pomegranate seeds