Arroz libanês com aletria (riz bi Sharieh)

Ingredientes

• 1/2 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup vermicelli
• 1 cup basmati rice
• 2 cups water (or as required)
• salt to taste
• pine nuts ((toasted or fried) optional)
• fresh parsley (optional)

Modo de preparo

1. 1

   soak: Rinse the basmati rice a few times until water runs clear and soak in water for 30 to 45 minutes or as per the pack instructions. Drain the rice and keep it aside.

2. 2

   fry nuts: Heat butter or any cooking oil in a deep thick bottomed pan on a medium flame. If using pine nuts or sliced almonds, fry them until light brown, remove them with a slotted spoon, and keep them aside for later.

3. 3

   toast vermicelli: Add more butter if required and stir fry and roast the vermicelli pasta for 2 to 3 minutes or until they are evenly browned to a dark golden shade. You will notice that the butter will foam and froth and smell fabulous as the vermicelli get toasted. Make sure you don't burn so keep the heat low.

4. 4

   toast rice: Next, stir the drained rice into the vermicelli. Saute for a few seconds to coat the grains with butter. Pour enough water (room temp) as per rice pack instructions or go with a 1:2 rice to water ratio. Pour at least 2 cups of water or just enough water that is 1 cm above the rice level. (1 cm is roughly half of the first knuckle of your index finger.)

5. 5

   boil rice: Stir in salt to taste and bring the whole thing to a full boil on a high flame. Boil until most of the water evaporates and the grains and vermicelli surface up.

6. 6

   cook rice: Reduce the flame to the lowest and cover the pan with a tight lid. Let it slowly steam cook for 6 to 8 minutes.

7. 7

   steam cook: Open and stir the rice gently to bring the bottom portion to the top, cover the pot again. Cook for another 5 minutes and switch off. Let the pan sit undisturbed for another 5 to 8 minutes.

8. 8

   serve: Open, fluff and serve on a platter. Garnish with fried nuts and chopped parsley. Serve Lebanese vermicelli rice with any Arabic side dish like Daoud Basha, Dawood Basha