Rice with vegetables

Vegetable Rice - a delicious and versatile fasting recipe

Vegetable rice is a simple and quick recipe, perfect for fasting days as well as for a light lunch or dinner any day of the week. This dish is an explosion of flavors and colors, which can be served as a main course or as a side dish. Moreover, it is a healthy and filling choice! In this recipe, I will detail each step to ensure you achieve a perfect result.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Number of servings: 4

Ingredients:
- 1 cup rice (preferably long-grain rice for a fluffy texture)
- 3 cups water
- 4-5 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1 medium carrot
- 200 g fresh mushrooms (champignon or any other preferred mushrooms)
- 1 bell pepper (green or red, according to preference)
- 1 bunch of fresh dill, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste

Step 1: Preparing the rice
Start by washing the rice in several waters until the water runs clear. This will help remove excess starch, preventing the grains from sticking together. After washing, let it soak for about 15-20 minutes. This step will help achieve a fluffier texture.

Step 2: Preparing the vegetables
Meanwhile, prepare the vegetables. Grate half of the carrot, and finely chop the other half. Cut the bell pepper into thin slices and the mushrooms into slices. These vegetables will add not only flavor but also a pleasant appearance to the dish.

Step 3: Sauté the vegetables
In a large skillet, add the oil and let it heat up. Add the chopped vegetables (carrot, bell pepper, and mushrooms) and sauté over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until they become slightly golden and soft. Stir constantly to avoid burning.

Step 4: Boil the rice
In a separate pot, add the 3 cups of water and a teaspoon of salt. Once the water has started to boil, add the drained rice. Boil the rice over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10-12 minutes, or until it is half-cooked. The rice should not be fully cooked at this step, as it will continue to cook together with the vegetables.

Step 5: Combining the ingredients
After the rice is half-cooked, add the sautéed vegetables and mix well to distribute them evenly. Continue to cook everything together, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender.

Step 6: Finishing the dish
Towards the end, add the chopped dill, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix well and let the dish sit on the heat for another 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors. The vegetable rice is now ready to be served!

Serving suggestion:
This vegetable rice can be served as a side dish alongside various meat dishes or as a main course, accompanied by a fresh vegetable salad. An interesting variation is to add some olives or roasted nuts for extra flavor.

Possible variations:
To diversify the dish, you can add other vegetables such as zucchini, squash, or peas. Also, for an even more intense flavor, you can use spices like turmeric or curry. This vegetable rice recipe is extremely versatile and can be adapted according to your preferences!

Enjoy this vegetable rice recipe, a nourishing dish full of color and flavor that will bring a touch of joy to every meal!