Dinner time is the perfect moment to load up on nutritious veggies and hearty whole grains. With a vegetable loaded rice dish, you can transform an ordinary side into a mouthwatering main that will leave you feeling satisfied yet energized. Start with a base of brown rice, quinoa or farro for a nutty, toothsome foundation. Then stir in an array of vibrant produce like peppers, spinach, kale, carrots, broccoli or cauliflower. The options are endless!
Feel free to add beans, lentils or tofu for extra plant-based protein. For maximum flavour, sauté the veggies first. Let them caramelize and develop irresistible sweetness before combining everything with the grain. Herbs, spices, lemon juice and olive oil will also amp up the tastes. With minimal effort, you can create a hearty, wholesome and delicious dinner the whole family will love. The rainbow of vegetables overtop the hearty grains is as beautiful to look at as it is nourishing to eat. Your kitchen will fill with incredible aromas as the dish comes together.
Make extra so you can enjoy the leftovers for lunch the next day. These 6 veggie-loaded rice dishes can truly make you feel good about eating any night of the week!
Subz Biryani
Transport yourself to aromatic Indian spice markets with this mouthwatering Subz Biryani. Soak basmati rice for fluffy grains, then boil until just tender. Meanwhile, fry onions until golden and crisp. Sizzle ginger, garlic, and chilies in oil, then stir in a colourful medley of diced vegetables. Season the veggies with aromatic jeera, dhania, saunf, Kashmiri chili, and turmeric powders. Nestle in protein-packed paneer cubes and luscious curd. Layer the rice over the veggie mixture, shower with fried onions, fresh coriander and mint. Crown with more paneer. After a quick steam, uncover to release an irresistible aroma. Garnish with lemon, herbs and crispy fried onions for a royal feast. With just the right blend of textures and flavours, this aromatic Subz Biryani is sure to become a family favourite.
Image credit: Freepik
Vegetable Fried Rice
Make room on the stove and in your belly for this quick and delicious fried rice. It's loaded with tender veggies and fluffy eggs cooked up in minutes. First, whisk up the eggs while the skillet and oil heat up. Cook the eggs gently just until set, then set aside. The onions and carrots go in next to soften up before adding the other pre-chopped veggies. Stir occasionally to get those crispy browned edges. Once the veggies are cooked through, add the ginger, garlic and red pepper for an aromatic boost. Toss in the rice to heat through and mix everything together. The eggs and greens join the veggie rice party last. Remove from heat and add the tamari and sesame for a final flavour punch. Feel free to spice it up with extra tamari or chili sauce. With some prep, this fried rice comes together in a flash. The mix of textures and colours makes every veggie-loaded bite a treat. Enjoy this fast, fresh take on fried rice any night of the week.
Veggie Rice Bowl
Transform your weeknight dinner into an Asian-inspired feast with this quick and easy broccoli and tofu stir-fry. With a medley of crisp vegetables, protein-packed tofu, and fluffy rice, this bowl delivers a satisfying mix of flavours and textures in one dish. First, heat up your wok and add a drizzle of oil. Toss in the broccoli florets, cut in half to expose their tender stems, and chunks of vibrant red bell pepper. Listen to them sizzle and stir-fry over high heat for a few minutes until just tender-crisp. Next add the cubed, marinated tofu. Watch the tofu turn golden brown and crisp up in the wok - it only takes a minute or two. Then tip in the pouches of ready-to-heat rice and break up the grains with your spatula or fork as they warm up. Stir through the frozen peas, letting them defrost right in the wok, then pour over your secret sauce. This zesty blend of tamari, sweet chili sauce, ginger, garlic, and rice wine vinegar adds a kick of flavour. Toss everything together until piping hot and coated in the sauce. Finish this quick weeknight dinner by garnishing each bowl with a sprinkling of sesame seeds and chopped spring onions. The final flourish of texture and freshness takes this stir-fry to new heights. Dig in and enjoy a mouthwatering meal made easy.
Image credit: Freepik
Vegetable Pulao
Transform your dinner table with a vibrant, flavour-packed Vegetable Pulao and cool, creamy Onion Tomato Raita. This easy pulao recipe bursts with a rainbow of vegetables like capsicum, carrots, beans, peas, and potatoes sautéed in aromatic spices. The star ingredient is a zesty coriander-mint paste that adds a punch of freshness. To make it, simply blend coriander, mint, ginger, garlic, green chilies, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and fennel seeds with a splash of water. To cook the pulao, heat ghee in a pan and add cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, peppercorns and cashews. Next, sauté onions until translucent, then add chopped tomatoes and cook until soft. Throw in the chopped veggies and season with salt. Pour in the fragrant coriander-mint paste and give it a stir. Once the water comes to a boil, add pre-soaked basmati rice, cover and simmer. In just 20 minutes, you'll have perfectly fluffy pulao speckled with colourful vegetables. Serve it with a cooling Onion Tomato Raita, an Indian yogurt side dish. Just whisk together yogurt, water, diced onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, chopped cilantro, roasted cumin powder and salt. The sweet ripe tomatoes, crunchy onions, and cooling cucumber perfectly balance the spices in the pulao. With aromatic rice, crispy vegetables, and cool, creamy raita, this is a meal that will tantalize all your senses. The textures, colours, flavours, and aromas will instantly elevate your dinner from boring to extraordinary.
Image credit: Freepik
Vegetable Masala Khichdi
Transport your taste buds to India with this flavourful one-pot vegetarian rice dish. This aromatic basmati rice pilaf, punctuated with tender vegetables and creamy lentils, comes together in just 30 minutes. First, soak the basmati rice and split mung beans to infuse moisture. Meanwhile, finely chop an onion and an array of vegetables like cabbage, peas, carrots and green beans. In a deep pan, heat the ghee over medium heat. Once hot, add whole spices - cumin, cloves, cinnamon and peppercorns - to bloom their flavours. Next add the curry leaves and onion, cooking until softened. The vegetables join the party, sautéing briefly to retain their crunch. Now add the drained rice and beans, turmeric for its sunny hue, chili powder for a kiss of heat, and salt. Give it all a good stir. Pour in the water, cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until the rice is just tender. The beans should have softened, adding creaminess. Fluff with a fork, garnish with chopped cilantro, and serve this colourful rice dish while hot. The interplay of textures and flavours - the fluffy rice, toothsome beans, crunchy vegetables, warm spices, and bright herbs - is what makes this pilaf so appealing. Expand your recipe repertoire with this aromatic meal.
Image credit: Freepik
Veggie-Packed Paella
Transform this Spanish-origin rice recipe into a flavourful fiesta with just a few simple ingredients! Start by sautéing diced onion, pepper, and carrot in olive oil until softened. Add minced garlic for a punch of aroma before stirring in the rice to lightly toast. Splash in tomato paste and crushed tomatoes to add a rich, tomatoey backbone. Now comes the fun part - dump in vegetable broth, frozen corn and peas, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Crank up the heat until it boils then let it simmer, covered, until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. After resting, fluff with a fork and garnish with bright, fresh cilantro. With just 20 minutes of hands-off cooking, you can have a vibrant rice dish bursting with the flavours of Mexico. So, skip the takeout and make this easy rice recipe instead - your tastebuds will thank you!