Easy Oven-Baked Herb Rice Recipe Perfect for Family Meals

Bat Sheva Fitoussi shares a simple and flavorful recipe for oven-baked herb rice, ideal as a side dish for Shabbat, holidays, or family dinners. The dish features rice cooked with fresh herbs, caramelized onions, and garlic, resulting in a fragrant and fluffy texture without the need to stand over the stove.

The preparation involves frying diced onions until golden, then adding chopped garlic and a mix of fresh herbs such as cilantro, parsley, dill, and celery until softened and lightly caramelized. Meanwhile, the rice is rinsed until the water runs clear, then combined with the sautéed herb mixture, seasoned with salt, black pepper, turmeric, and optional baharat spice. The mixture is placed in a baking dish, covered with double the amount of water, sealed with parchment and aluminum foil, and baked at 200 degrees Celsius for about 40 minutes.

After baking, the rice rests for 10 minutes before fluffing with a fork and serving. This easy recipe uses readily available ingredients and offers a homemade taste that pairs well with chicken, meat, fish, or vegetable stews. Fitoussi emphasizes the convenience and impressive presentation of this herb-infused rice, making it a versatile addition to various meals.