Lemon Rice -Middle Eastern Style

Updated 12/12/2023

This recipe has been passed down through generations and introduced to me through the descendants of Syrian immigrants.  You’ve likely come across variations of this rice at middle eastern restaurants and shawarma shops.  I could not imagine certain meals like Lebanese Lamb and Green Bean Stew, grilled lemon chicken or lamb kabobs without it.  It also works well with many fish dishes.  

Rice cooking options

For this recipe, I prefer to use long grain white rice. And, more specifically, the healthier parboiled variety, that’s also called converted rice.

Traditionally, this rice is cooked in a pot with a lid. However, this recipe works well in automatic rice cookers with a sauté setting. After sautéing the pasta, add the rice, stir to coat it in the butter. Add the remaining ingredients, stir, then select the white rice setting to cook the rice.

Lemon Rice – Middle Eastern Style

Kevin Lamoureux

With its light lemony and buttery flavours this rice has been a favourite in our house for years and makes the perfect side dish for many middle eastern or Mediterranean meals.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine middle eastern

Servings 4

Calories 121 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup long grain parboiled (converted) white rice
• 2 tbsp clarified butter or ghee
• 2 tbs fresh squeezed lemon juice juice of one medium lemon
• 10 strands of vermicelli or angel hair pasta
• 1 ½ cups water
• ½ tsp salt

Instructions

 

• Soak the rice in cold water for about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile add the butter to a medium saucepan with a tight-fitting lid.
• Break up the pasta into 2-inch lengths and add to the pot. Sauté the pasta in the butter on medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes or until brown. Be careful not to burn the pasta.
• Work the soaking rice with your fingers to release starch then strain to remove the water.
• Add the rice to the pot and give it a stir to coat it in the butter.
• Add the lemon juice, water and salt then bring to a boil.
• Cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 30 minutes.
• Stir before serving.

Notes

Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro.

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 121kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.6g | Iron: 0.7mg

Keyword lemon, rice

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@the_worldonaplatter

This rice is the perfect side with

• Lebanese Lamb & Green Bean Stew
• Côtelette de volaille – Kyiv Style
• Broiled Lobster Tails