How to Prepare Iraqi Rice Stuffing for Sukkot (Jewish Spring Festival)

In springtime while much of the world is celebrating Easter, Jews build structures called 'sukkah's' where they eat their food. This is one recipe for rice that is used by Sephardic Jews (people from the African, Indian, Spanish and Eastern cultures) rather than the Ashkenazi Jews (from eastern europe).

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 cup uncooked basmati or long grain white rice
• 1 tblspoon olive oil
• 3 green onions, chopped diagonally with greens (save 1 green onion for garnish)
• scant handful chopped almonds
• a few red rose petals
• 1 apricot, chopped
• 1 prune, chopped
• 1/4 cup very finely chopped parsley
• 1 tsp mixed equal parts: nutmeg, ground cloves, cinnamon, turmeric
• 1/4 onion, chopped fine
• 1 small garlic clove, crushed
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1 additional cup of water

1. Rinse rice 5 times by pouring water into pot, and draining, until the water is no longer cloudy and you are sure the rice is clean.

2. If you are using this as a side dish instead of a stuffing, you must prepare the rice in the usual manner:
   
   Cook rice as usual with water, for approximately 18 minutes or until the water has evaporated and the rice is tender. Follow all steps below except hold the rice aside to add after all the steps have been done.
   
   If you are using as a stuffing, proceed:
   
   Saute uncooked rice with onions in the olive oil very slowly, until the onions begin to carmelize.

3. 
    

   Add all chopped fruits and blended spices, along with salt and pepper to pan.
   
   If rice for stuffing is in the pan, add 1 cup of water at this point. If no rice is present in the pan, add 1/4 cup so that the fruit can plump up and cook properly.
   
   Simmer for approximately 5-10 minutes on low heat.

4. For side dish, add rice now, sprinkle with remaining raw green onions, and serve.
   
   For stuffing, go ahead and stuff whatever you are stuffing, such as a turkey or vegan main course, and cook along with your main course as usual.

Tips & Warnings

• To develop full flavor, be sure to take your time. Rushing only makes things taste underflavored. Use low heat.

[parollins]

on 2/28/2009 Soundd great and I will be trying this. 5* and a recommentd.

[VernBoggs]

on 2/28/2009 I am going to the store and going to try this tonight. Thank youVern