Riz à la Menthe

Riz à la Menthe is a fragrant Moroccan rice dish infused with fresh mint, providing a refreshing twist to traditional rice. It perfectly complements any meal, bringing a taste of North African culinary tradition to your table.

Ingredients

• Basmati rice - 150 grams
• Water - 300 milliliters
• Fresh mint leaves - 20 grams (about 1 cup, loosely packed)
• Olive oil - 1 tablespoon
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Cinnamon stick - 1 small piece
• Lemon zest - 1 teaspoon
• Ground cumin - 1/2 teaspoon

Steps

1. Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, water, salt, cinnamon stick, and ground cumin. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
3. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
4. While the rice is cooking, prepare the mint infusion. In a small saucepan, heat the olive oil over low heat, then add the fresh mint leaves and lemon zest. Sauté gently for about 2 minutes until the mint is fragrant but not browned.
5. Remove the saucepan from heat and let the mint mixture steep for a few minutes.
6. Once the rice is cooked, remove it from the heat and let it sit covered for an additional 5 minutes.
7. Fluff the rice with a fork, then pour the mint infusion over the rice and mix gently to combine.
8. Serve warm as a side dish or a light main course.

Nutrition

• Calories: 265
• Protein: 5 g
• Carbs: 55 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Water: 0.3 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in carbohydrates, providing energy.
• Mint is known to aid digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties.

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