How to Cook Yellow Rice with Peas

Peas provide textural contrast to the rice.

Yellow rice with peas makes a filling side dish to any type of meat or vegetable main course. While the color may give the impression of a particular type of rice, any type of white rice can be used for the dish. The signature yellow appearance comes from small amounts of flavorful spices such as turmeric, cumin and cinnamon. Carefully measured amounts of spices are vital to yellow rice with peas, but the rice cooking technique can either make or break the dish.

Things You'll Need

• Saucepan
• 3/4 tsp. ground turmeric
• 1/4 tsp. ground cumin
• Cinnamon
• 3 cups water
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1 1/2 cups long-grain rice
• 2 tbsp. scallions
• 1 cup peas

Instructions

1. Combine 3/4 tsp. ground turmeric, 1/4 tsp. ground cumin and a pinch of cinnamon in a saucepan. Put the saucepan on the stove at low heat until the ingredients become fragrant, about 30 seconds.

2. Pour in 3 cups of water and 1 tbsp. of unsalted butter. Season lightly with salt.

3. Increase the heat to high to bring the water to a boil. Pour in 1 1/2 cups of long-grain rice and reduce the heat to a simmer.

4. Cover the saucepan with a lid and cook until the rice is tender, usually close to 20 minutes.

5. Add 1 cup of peas to the rice and cover the pan with the lid. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the residual heat from pan to heat up the rice for five minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• Fresh or frozen peas can be used for this recipe.

• Peas may become mushy if cooked for too long.

References

• Food Network; Yellow Rice; Emeril Lagasse
• McCormick: Yellow Rice With Peas