Rice with zucchini and curry

Name: Rice with zucchini and curry - Ludovica P.
Ingredients: 100 g rice; 1 small onion; 1 zucchini; 50 g ham (pancetta); 1 cube of broth; salt; pepper; curry; 2 tablespoons of oil

Savory - Rice with zucchini and curry by Ludovica P. - Recipia

When I want a simple dish made in one pot, I often choose rice with zucchini and curry. The onion and ham provide flavor from the start, and the zucchini cooks quickly and remains pleasant in combination with the rice. The recipe is not complicated, but it's important not to skip the step where the rice is toasted for a few minutes. Then, water and a Delikat cube are added, and everything is simmered on low heat until the rice is ready. The curry is added towards the end, after tasting the dish. Quick Info Preparation time: not specified in the original recipe Cooking time: approximately 20 minutes, including the 3-4 minutes for toasting the rice and the 15 minutes of boiling Total time: preparation time for ingredients is not specified; actual cooking takes about 20 minutes Servings: not specified; the quantity is suitable for one large serving or about two smaller servings Difficulty: easy Recipe type: quick main dish, cooked in one pot Ingredients 100 g rice 1 small onion 1 zucchini 50 g ham, preferably pancetta 1 Delikat cube Salt, to taste Pepper, to taste Curry, to taste 2 tablespoons oil For cooking, 1 and a half cups of water are also used. Instead of a little water used for sautéing, a bit of white wine can also be added, as mentioned in the original recipe. Preparation method 1. Prepare the ingredients Chop the onion finely. Cut the ham into pieces and the zucchini into cubes. The zucchini pieces don't need to be perfectly equal, but they shouldn't be too large, so they cook at the same time as the other ingredients. 2. Sauté the onion Put a pot on the heat and add the 2 tablespoons of oil. When the oil is heated, add the onion and let it sauté. If you notice it starting to catch or burn, add a little water or a bit of white wine and stir. The onion should not be browned too much. It is enough for it to soften before adding the ham. 3. Add the ham and zucchini Put the pieces of ham over the onion and stir. Then add the zucchini cut into cubes. Sauté everything for about a minute to combine the ingredients and start cooking lightly. The zucchini should not be left too long at this stage, as it will continue to cook after adding the rice and water. 4. Toast the rice Add the rice to the pot and mix well with the onion, ham, and zucchini. Leave it on medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. This step helps the rice to be coated with oil and the flavors from the pot. Be careful not to leave it unattended, as it can quickly stick to the bottom of the pot. 5. Add water and the Delikat cube Pour in 1 and a half cups of water and add the Delikat cube. Stir so that it starts to dissolve and distribute in the liquid. Let the dish come to a boil, then reduce the heat. 6. Cook the rice Cook the rice on low heat for about 15 minutes. Stir gently from time to time, especially towards the end when the liquid begins to reduce. If the rice is not yet cooked and the liquid has been absorbed, add more water gradually. The necessary amount may vary depending on the type of rice and how strongly the dish is boiling. 7. Season at the end Before turning off the heat, taste. Add salt only if needed, as the ham and Delikat cube may already be salty. Then add pepper and curry to taste, and mix well. The amount of curry depends on how intense you want the flavor. It's easier to start with a little and add more after tasting. 8. Let the dish rest Turn off the heat and let the rice with zucchini cool for a few minutes before serving. During this time, the remaining liquid can be absorbed, and the flavors settle. Why I make the recipe often It’s a simple recipe with few ingredients and an easy-to-follow preparation method. Everything is cooked in the same pot, without complicated steps. The rice is filling, the zucchini cooks quickly, and the ham provides enough flavor without needing many spices. I also like that it can be easily adjusted at the end. If the dish seems too under-seasoned, more curry or pepper can be added to taste. However, salt should be added carefully, as salty ingredients are already present in the recipe. Tips and variations Tips Stir the rice during the 3-4 minutes of toasting to prevent it from sticking. At this stage, the pot is already heated, and the oil can be absorbed quickly. Don't add all the salt at the beginning. The Delikat cube and pancetta can significantly change the salt level, so it's safer to taste before the final seasoning. Simmer on low heat after adding the water. If the heat is too strong, the liquid can evaporate before the rice is cooked. Stir occasionally, not continuously. The rice needs to cook in the liquid, and excessive stirring can make the dish more glued together. Substitutions Instead of pancetta, you can use the ham mentioned in the ingredients, keeping the same amount of 50 g. Another amount is not indicated, as the original recipe uses 50 g. For the liquid used at the beginning, when sautéing the onion, you can choose water or a bit of white wine. Water is the simple option, while white wine is the option mentioned in the recipe. Variations You can adjust the amount of curry according to taste without changing the rest of the recipe. For a milder flavor, use a little curry, and for a more pronounced aroma, add more at the end. The zucchini can be cut into smaller or larger cubes, but the cooking time may vary slightly. Smaller pieces will soften faster and combine more with the rice. Serving ideas Serve the rice after a few minutes of cooling while it is still warm. It is suitable as a simple main dish without needing a separate dish alongside it. If serving later, stir gently before portioning to distribute the pieces of ham and zucchini as evenly as possible. Frequently asked questions 1. Can I use water instead of white wine? Yes. In the recipe, water or white wine is used in small amounts during the sautéing of the onion to prevent burning. Water is sufficient if you do not want to use wine. 2. When is the curry added? The curry is added towards the end, before turning off the heat, along with the pepper. This way, you can taste the dish and adjust the amount more easily. 3. Why is the rice added before the water? The rice is toasted for 3-4 minutes with the other ingredients. This step coats it with oil and the flavors from the pot before boiling begins. 4. What do I do if the rice is not cooked after 15 minutes? Add more water if the liquid has run out and continue simmering on low heat. The recipe states that water can be topped up if needed. 5. How do I know if more salt is needed? Taste the dish before turning off the heat. The Delikat cube and ham are already salty, so salt is added only if the taste requires it. Nutritional values The values are estimated and refer to the entire amount prepared, as the exact number of servings is not specified. The calculation may vary depending on the type of rice, the amount of oil remaining in the dish, the ham used, and the Delikat cube. Calories: approximately 750-850 kcal for the entire recipe Protein: approximately 20-25 g Carbohydrates: approximately 85-95 g Fats: approximately 35-45 g Fiber: approximately 4-6 g If you divide the dish into two servings, one serving would have approximately 375-425 kcal. These values are indicative and do not include significant differences between types of pancetta or the exact amount of oil absorbed by the rice and vegetables. Storage and reheating If there is leftover rice, let it cool and place it in a closed container in the refrigerator. It is better to consume it as soon as possible, as cooked rice should not be left at room temperature for long. When reheating, place the portion in a pot or pan and heat it on low, stirring gently. If it seems dry, a little water can be added. The rice can thicken after cooling, and a little liquid helps restore the texture. Reheat only the amount you plan to consume.

Rice with zucchini and curry

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