The next time you make a pot of rice add some colour, flavour and nutrition by incorporating a range of veggies. This fluffy vegetable rice is a family favourite; it’s quick and simple to make and can easily be customised.
Process Shots & Cooking Tips
- Blend Tomatoes: Chop the tomatoes and blend them until they are a puree consistency. You need a cup full of puree, I find two large tomatoes is perfect.
- Saute Vegetables: Saute the onion first, this provides the aromatic flavour base. Then add the celery, carrots, bell pepper (capsicum) and finally the zucchini.
- Add the rice and cooking liquid: Once the vegetables have softened stir through the rice. Add the pureed tomato and stock and give a final stir.
- Cook: Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer, where the surface is bubbling gently. Place the lid on and simmer for 15 minutes. Don’t be tempted to stir when the rice is cooking and don’t lift the lid either, you don’t want the steam to escape. I find using a clear lid easiest as you can check on the rice without disturbing it.
- Add Peas and Rest: Add the peas to the top of the rice and replace the lid immediately. There is no need to stir the peas, you want to replace the lid quickly to minimise the loss of heat. Allow the rice to sit, covered, for 10 mins. Dont skip this step as it allows the rice to finish cooking and soak up any remaining liquid.
- Fluff: Use a fork to fluff the rice.
This tasty rice is great…
- as a side dish for chicken or fish
- served with tacos, burritos or curries
- served as a main meal with added protein (such as sausage, chicken, pork, prawn (shrimp), chickpeas or tofu)
Watch How to Make It (Video)
- RICE – This recipe is best made with Basmati rice. It results in a lovely fluffy texture with the gorgeous Basmati aroma. Ive tried making it with white long grain rice but it wasnt as good and needed another couple of minutes cooking time. The recipe will NOT work as written for other rice varieties (short grain, brown rice, Jasmine etc). The liquid to rice ratio, as well as cooking time would differ.
- ONION/CELERY – The onions and celery provide the flavour base, skipping them will result in a less flavoursome rice.
- TOMATOES: The tomato provides liquid, nutrition, flavour and colour. If you do not wish to add tomato you will need to replace with extra stock (¾ cup).
- OTHER VEGETABLES – I added capsicum (bell pepper), carrot, zucchini and peas. The carrot and zucchini melt into the rice and are great for pickier eaters. Other vegetables that will work well include grated celeriac and turnip. Spinach and sweetcorn are lovely too but they only need to be added at the end of cooking (with peas).
- STOCK/BROTH: Be sure to use low sodium or home-made stock if cooking for baby/young children (or dilute with water). Vegetable or chicken stock can be used.
How to make vegetable rice like a pro | The cooking nurse
FAQ
What is vegetable rice made of?
Are riced veggies healthy?
What does it mean to rice vegetables?
What is mixed veg rice?
What is vegetable rice?
Our vegetable rice recipe combines fresh and colorful vegetables like carrots, peas, bell peppers, and onions with rice. A harmonious medley of ingredients adds a burst of flavors and textures to every bite. Prepare our vegetable rice in a few simple steps: Sauté vegetables, add rice, season with spices, and cook until rice is fluffy.
What vitamins are there in rice?
The vitamins naturally present in rice are vitamin E, vitamin B6, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamine (vitamin B1), and folate. These vitamins are found in the bran, so when the rice is processed this bran is removed and what is left is white rice rich in starch and poor in nutrients. That’s why brown rice is more nutritious and suitable for consumption. In addition, there is the fortification of rice that makes it more nutritious, being able to prevent nutritional deficiencies in populations that have rice as the basis of their diet.
How to make veggie rice?
Step 1: Spiralize your vegetables, then add to a food processor. Step 2: Pulse, pulse, pulse. Step 3: Once the vegetables resemble rice, you’re done. Step 4: Cook your veggie rice to enjoy by itself or in healthy recipes.
What is vegetable fried rice?
Jump to Recipe. Vegetable rice is simply white rice with vegetables and is an easy way to turn a boring pot of white rice to something fun to eat. This rice recipe shouldn’t be confused with vegetable fried rice which is what our nigerian fried rice recipe is.