Lebanese Vermicelli Rice (Riz bi Sharieh)
Lebanese vermicelli rice, or Riz bi Sharieh, is a classic Middle Eastern side dish made with golden toasted vermicelli and fluffy basmati rice. Cooked in butter and olive oil this pairs perfectly with stews, grilled meats, or vegetables. Easy, versatile, and full of flavor!
Servings: 3 people
Calories: 200kcal
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon butter
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup vermicelli
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 2 cups water or as required
- salt to taste
- pine nuts (toasted or fried) optional
- fresh parsley optional
Instructions
- Rinse the basmati rice a few times until water runs clear and soak in water for 30 to 45 minutes or as per the pack instructions. Drain the rice and keep it aside.
- Heat butter or any cooking oil in a deep thick bottomed pan on a medium flame. If using pine nuts or sliced almonds, fry them until light brown, remove them with a slotted spoon, and keep them aside for later.½ tablespoon butter, ½ tbsp olive oil, pine nuts
- Add more butter if required and stir fry and roast the vermicelli pasta for 2 to 3 minutes or until they are evenly browned to a dark golden shade. You will notice that the butter will foam and froth and smell fabulous as the vermicelli get toasted. Make sure you don't burn so keep the heat low.¼ cup vermicelli
- Next, stir the drained rice into the vermicelli. Saute for a few seconds to coat the grains with butter. Pour enough water (room temp) as per rice pack instructions or go with a 1:2 rice to water ratio. Pour at least 2 cups of water or just enough water that is 1 cm above the rice level. (1 cm is roughly half of the first knuckle of your index finger.)1 cup basmati rice, 2 cups water
- Stir in salt to taste and bring the whole thing to a full boil on a high flame. Boil until most of the water evaporates and the grains and vermicelli surface up.salt to taste
- Reduce the flame to the lowest and cover the pan with a tight lid. Let it slowly steam cook for 6 to 8 minutes.
- Open and stir the rice gently to bring the bottom portion to the top, cover the pot again. Cook for another 5 minutes and switch off. Let the pan sit undisturbed for another 5 to 8 minutes.
- Open, fluff and serve on a platter. Garnish with fried nuts and chopped parsley. Serve Lebanese vermicelli rice with any Arabic side dish like Daoud Basha, Dawood Bashafresh parsley
Notes
You can skip butter for vegan option.
Have a question or looking for more tips? Please refer to the content above the recipe card. It often contains valuable explanations, tips, and ideas to enhance your cooking experience.
Nutrition
Serving: 217g | Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 29.16g | Protein: 5.29g | Fat: 12.44g
