Sides
Arroz Cabo-verdiano (Cape Verdean Seasoned Rice)
Ingredients
- - Long-grain rice — 300 g (1.5 cups)
- - Onion, finely chopped — 1 small (1 small)
- - Garlic, minced — 1 clove (1 clove)
- - Tomato, finely chopped — 1 medium (1 medium)
- - Chicken or vegetable stock — 600 ml (2.5 cups)
- - Olive oil — 2 tbsp (2 tbsp)
- - Bay leaf — 1 (1)
- - Salt — to taste (to taste)
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a saucepan and sauté the onion and garlic until soft.
- Add the tomato and cook for 3–4 minutes until it softens into the onions.
- Stir in the rice and toast for 1 minute, coating it in the oil and tomato mixture.
- Add the stock and bay leaf, and bring to a boil.
- Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15–18 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and let rest covered for 5 minutes before serving.
Introduction: A fragrant, tomato-tinted rice served alongside grilled fish, stews and cachupa, this everyday side dish reflects the Portuguese influence on rice cookery across the islands.
Cultural Background: A fragrant, tomato-tinted rice served alongside grilled fish, stews and cachupa, this everyday side dish reflects the Portuguese influence on rice cookery across the islands.
Tips: Toasting the rice briefly in the oil before adding liquid gives it a nuttier flavour and helps the grains stay separate. Resist lifting the lid during cooking — the steam is doing the work.
Variations: Add a handful of peas or diced carrot for colour. Use fish stock for a version served alongside seafood mains. Naturally vegetarian when made with vegetable stock; vegan as well.
Storage: Refrigerate up to 3 days in a sealed container.
Reheating: Reheat with a splash of water in a covered pan over low heat, or microwave covered for 1–2 minutes.
Nutrition: Approx. 220 kcal, 4 g protein, 42 g carbohydrate, 5 g fat per serving.
FAQs:
Q: Can I use vegetable stock throughout?
A: Yes, this makes the dish fully vegetarian without any change to method.
Q: Why is my rice mushy?
A: Too much liquid or lifting the lid during cooking are the most common causes — measure carefully and keep the pot covered. SEO Keywords arroz cabo-verdiano, cape verdean rice side dish, crioulo rice recipe Image Prompt A bowl of pale orange-tinted seasoned rice with visible flecks of tomato and onion, simple rustic presentation.