KosherEye.com
Chef Einat Admony is author of the fabulous cookbook Balaboosta: Bold Mediterranean Recipes to Feed the People You Love. This recipe is excerpted from Balaboosta (Artisan Books). Copyright © 2013. Photographs by Quentin Bacon.
My mother claims there are 356 recipes for rice in Iran—one for every day of the year. (Apparently there are nine fewer days in the Persian calendar. Different story.) This recipe is the one used to commemorate holidays. The potatoes are baked right in, and the rice is flavored with cumin seeds, carrots, and currants. I'm not sure how it got the name orez ha-malachim—rice fit for a king—but it is.
Ingredients
Kosher salt
4 cups jasmine rice
1 large potato, peeled
¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons canola oil
1-teaspoon ground turmeric (optional)
2 medium carrots, finely chopped
1 cup dried currants or raisins
1-tablespoon cumin seeds
Directions
Bring 4 quarts of water and ¼ cup salt to a boil (it may seem like a lot of salt, but the goal is to cook the rice as you would pasta). Meanwhile, rinse the rice in cold water; repeat until the water is clear. Add the rice to the boiling pot and cook until it is almost tender but still crunchy in the middle, 5 to 7 minutes.
Since you're cooking the rice for only about 10 minutes, there will still be plenty of liquid remaining. When the rice is al dente, drain in a fine mesh sieve and rinse under cold water. Drain completely, and then dump it into a large bowl.
While the rice is cooking, slice the potatoes into ¼-inch thick rounds. Heat ¼ cup of the oil in a Dutch oven or other large, heavy pot over medium heat. Stir in the turmeric. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer at the bottom of the pot; making sure that all the pieces fit snuggly. Sprinkle a pinch or two of salt over the potatoes. Saute them until crisp and golden, about 5 minutes, then flip them over to cook the other side, about 20 minutes altogether. Remove from the heat.
Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet then add the carrots, currants, and cumin seeds. Stir frequently and sauté until the carrots are slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and scrape the carrot mixture into the bowl of rice and toss to combine. Transfer the rice mixture into the Dutch oven on top of the potatoes, then drape a kitchen towel over the pot to prevent any steam from escaping. Place the lid right over the towel, gather the ends of the towel, and bunch them on top of the lid.
Place the pot over low, low heat and cook until the rice is tender, about 1 hour. You can serve this dish two ways – by inverting the entire pot of rice over onto a large platter or by scooping the rice onto a dish and then placing the potato slices on top. I always hold my breath when I flip the entire pot of rice over, and it doesn't always have a fairy-tale ending. So I usually cheat and go the other route.
Serves 4 to 6
Notes
Recipe: kosher, parve, side dish
Don’t get stuck in a sticky situation.
Get those sweet gifts for Rosh Hashana today!
Compiled by: Yaakov Galen, Editor-in-chief
Receiving a thoughtful gift can make all the difference, especially during auspicious times like Rosh Hashanah. Giving gifts can also feel wholesome and empowering knowing that the recipient of your gift deeply appreciates it.
I compiled this list of gifts that I loved. Although I won't be ordering all of them, I will mention the ones I plan to choose. You can order them straight from Amazon and take care of your Rosh Hashana gifts today.
Honey Gifts
I think it's "dip the apple in the honey" or something like that. Correct me if I'm wrong.
1. Honeycomb ($20 Range)
Honey in its natural form, right out of the beehive! Oh and it is certified Kosher! (Certified Kosher by EarthKosher based in Colorado and on the CRC kosher list.)
Click here to purchase: Honeycomb
2. A Delectable Honey Selection ($20 Range)
I used to think honey was just the generic tasting honey we tend to find in the bear containers. As I learned more about honey, I discovered an entire honey world of flavors, textures, and colors. In summary, bees make honey with the pollen they collect in nearby areas. When raw (not infused) honey has a specific flavor it is because the bees collected pollen from areas with pollen that embodies that flavor. Ex. Orange-tasting honey is most likely sourced from the pollen of orange blossoms.
This selection comes with four kinds of honey and is certified OU-P. Berry, Orange Blossoms, Wildflower, and Clover.
Click here to purchase: Bee Harmony Mini Honey Gift Set
3. A Gorgeous Honey Gift ($50 Range)
This company has been featured on Kosherye before and we love them. They have a wonderful selection of delicious honey and their bottling is perfect for gifts. Oh, and they are KSA Kosher, also recommended by the CRC.
"Coming straight from the Altamaha and Apalachicola River Basins of Georgia and Florida, Savannah Bee Tupelo Honey preserves the authenticity of its roots. It has a buttery texture while being sweetly reminiscent of nature's taste enhancers from these areas." -Savannah Bee
Click here to purchase: Tupelo Honey by Savannah Bee
Swag for the kids
Although they may appreciate slathering honey all over their Rosh Hashanah dinner, swag for the kids is always a winner.
4. Hakol Dvash (everything is honey) T-shirt ($20 Range)
Click here to purchase: Hakol Dvash T-shirt
5. Shofar So Good T-shirt ($20 Range)
Click here to purchase: Shofar so good T-shirt
6. Apple. Honey. Dip. Repeat. T-shirt ($20 Range)
Click here to purchase: Apple. Honey. Dip. Repeat. T-shirt
Oh my goodness, yes, swag for the baby.
This one is not for the baby obviously, it's for everyone else. Dress the baby up in cute Rosh Hashanah attire to keep everyone entertained.
7. My First Rosh Hashana Bib ($15 Range)
Click here to purchase: My First Rosh Hashana Bib
8. Shofar So Good Funny Baby Onesie ($15 Range)
Click here to purchase: Shofar So Good Funny Baby Onesie
Honey Dishes
This dish concept is a staple in many Jewish homes on Rosh Hashanah. These small practical honey dishes are a great way to show importance to the significance of the honey at our table. This selection of honey dishes is a few of my favorites that I was able to find online.
9. Stainless Steel and Glass Honey Dish ($20 Range)
By Art Judaica, With the Words A Good and Sweet Year in Hebrew
Click here to purchase: Stainless Steel and Glass Honey Dish
10. Glass Apple and Honey Dish ($50 Range)
Pomegranate Shape with Stones
Click here to purchase: Glass Apple and Honey Dish
11. Aluminum Pomegranate Honey Dish ($20 Range)
A Rosh Hashanah Plate By Yair Emanuel
Click here to purchase: Aluminum Pomegranate Honey Dish
12. Aluminum Apple Shaped Honey Dish ($50 Range)
Gold Honeycomb Design. Comes with a spoon.
Click here to purchase: Aluminum Apple Shaped Honey Dish
13. Nickel-Plated Pomegranate Honey Dish ($40 Range)
Click here to purchase: Nickel-Plated Pomegranate Honey Dish
14. Sterling Silver Apple Honey Dish ($800 Range)
Made of 925 Sterling silver with bee by Nadav Art ($800 Range)
Click here to purchase: Sterling Silver Apple Honey Dish
Tableware Gifts
These kinds of gifts are often cherished and become staple pieces on your family and friend's tables. Be sure that the design would fit the ambiance of your recipient's home. These are 2 favorites I was able to find online.
15. Rosh Hashanah Table Runner ($80 Range)
This runner is embroidered with various, Simanim, Brachos, and phrases we experience on the night of Rosh Hashana. It is a linen-cotton blend and is machine washable. This runner is made here in the USA. Size: 16 x 122” ( 40 x 310cm )
Click here to purchase: Rosh Hashanah Table Runner
16. Challah Cover with Pomegranates Embroidery ($20 Range)
Challah bread cover with pomegranates design and Hebrew Brachos embroidery. Dimensions: 21 inch x 17 inch / 55 cm x 45
- Click here to purchase: Challah Cover with Pomegranates Embroidery
Fruit and Candy Gift Baskets
Gift baskets are a classy way to tell someone you appreciate or even love them. The Oh Nuts brand has been a favorite of mine for a while, they are reasonably priced, and they are on Amazon! These are my two favorites.
17. Oh! Nuts® Dried Fruit Gift Basket ($30 Range)
- From the vendor:
- Vegan, all-natural, and no sugar added: Our nutritious dried fruit is packed with healthy vitamins, minerals, and fiber for the ultimate diet-friendly indulgence. No additives, naturally sweet, zero sugar added, dairy-free, and vegan safe. Comes in an apple-shaped basket. OK Parave
Click here to purchase: Dried Fruit Gift Basket
18. Oh! Nuts® Chocolate Covered Cookie Gift Basket ($30 Range)
From the vendor:
This beautiful Oh! Nuts tray contains an assortment of 20 decorated sandwich cookies. The gift box is neatly divided into 20 compartments to highlight the beauty of each individual piece. Replace the traditional candy and chocolates with trendier baked goods and dessert treats. OK Parave
Click here to purchase: Oh! Nuts® Chocolate Covered Cookie Gift Basket
*This is not a sponsored post. All recommended products are Koshereye tested. We hope to only provide you with amazing Kosher products and recipes. Koshereye may make a small commission if you purchase a product through our Amazon links.