Imagine a side dish so aromatic and flavorful that it transforms your entire meal from ordinary to extraordinary. This Instant Pot Lebanese Rice is not just a recipe; it's a quick culinary escape to the vibrant kitchens of the Middle East, where every grain tells a story of tradition and taste. In just 25 magical minutes, you'll create a restaurant-worthy side that will have your family and friends begging for seconds!
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Lebanese
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup of long-grain rice
- 1 1/2 cups of water or broth
- 1/2 cup of vermicelli noodles, broken
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
Instructions
- Rinse the long-grain rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear, which helps remove excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming sticky.
- Break the vermicelli noodles into small 1-inch pieces using your hands or a cutting board.
- Turn on the Instant Pot and select the Sauté mode. Add olive oil and heat until it shimmers slightly.
- Add the broken vermicelli noodles to the hot oil and toast them, stirring constantly, until they turn golden brown and develop a nutty aroma, which typically takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the rinsed rice to the pot and stir with the toasted vermicelli, coating the rice grains with oil and mixing them evenly.
- Pour in the water or broth, and add salt and black pepper. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to sealing position, and switch to Manual/Pressure Cook mode.
- Set the cooking time to 6 minutes at high pressure. Once cooking is complete, allow a natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then carefully do a quick release.
- Open the lid, fluff the rice with a fork, and let it rest for 2-3 minutes before serving to allow moisture to distribute evenly.
- Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with optional fresh herbs like parsley or mint if desired.
Tips
- • Always rinse your rice thoroughly to remove excess starch and prevent clumping. • Toast the vermicelli noodles carefully - the golden-brown color and nutty aroma are key to authentic flavor. • Use broth instead of water for an extra depth of flavor. • Let the rice rest after cooking to allow moisture to distribute evenly. • For a gourmet touch, garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or mint. • If you don't have an Instant Pot, you can adapt this recipe for stovetop cooking with similar techniques. • Experiment with different broths (chicken, vegetable) to customize the taste profile.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
