Shrimp Rice

Ingredients

• 2 cups basmati rice, soaked, rinsed and drained
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 carrots, grated
• 1 tbsp medium curry powder
• 1/2 tsp saffron substitute (anqadah saffra) or turmeric
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp turmeric or saffron substitute
• 1 tsp fish spice blend (bahria)
• A pinch dried coriander
• Salt, to taste
• 2 tomatoes, grated
• 1 kg shrimp, cleaned and washed
• Oil
• Ghee (or butter)
• For the shrimp:
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, sliced
• Fresh ginger, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp of the rice spice mix reserved for the shrimp
• Butter
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/4 cup water
• For more rice recipes from Leyal see: Curry Vegetable Rice with Meatballs
• For the lettuce & heart-of-palm salad served with this dish see: Lettuce & Heart-of-Palm Salad

Method

1. We start with the rice: sauté the chopped onion in a little vegetable oil and ghee until soft
2. Add the carrot and stir until it softens
3. In a bowl, mix all the spices together and set aside one medium spoonful of the mix to add later with the shrimp... add the remaining spices to the pot
4. Add the crushed tomato and stir... let them cook briefly on the heat until the tomato softens
5. Add the rice with the required water ratio according to the rice type... usually 1 cup of basmati needs from 1½ to 2 cups of water
6. When the water begins to boil and reaches the level of the rice, reduce the heat, cover the pot, and leave it for about 20 minutes until the rice is cooked
   Timers: 20 min
7. Meanwhile, prepare the shrimp: sauté the onion in a little oil and butter until soft
8. Add the garlic, ginger, and the spoonful of spice mix we set aside, and stir
9. Add the shrimp and stir briefly for about 5 minutes until it turns pink
   Timers: 5 min
10. Add one spoonful of tomato paste and stir, then add 1/4 cup of water and let them simmer briefly until the sauce thickens
11. Serve the rice and shrimp side by side in a dish... and present the shrimp rice hot
12. Shrimp rice can be served and is very delicious with a lettuce and palmito (heart of palm) salad
13. To make the wonderful lettuce and palmito salad alongside this dish, here is the link: Lettuce and palmito (heart of palm) salad