Layered Basmati Rice with Caramelized Onions and Baharat

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Fragrant basmati rice layered over richly caramelized onions seasoned with Baharat spice blend, delivering a satisfying texture and warm flavor. This Middle Eastern-inspired rice and grain recipe, ready in about 80 minutes, pairs basmati rice, large onions, Baharat spice blend for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 35 min Cook: 45 min Serves 6 Middle Eastern cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 2 cups basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then soak in water for 20 minutes. Drain before cooking.
  2. Step 2: Heat 4 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add 3 thinly sliced large onions and 1.5 tbsp Baharat spice blend. Cook slowly for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown.
  3. Step 3: Remove half of the caramelized onions and set aside for garnish. Add the soaked and drained rice to the pot with remaining onions, stirring gently to coat the rice in the spiced onion mixture.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 3 cups water and 1.5 tsp salt, bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 15 minutes until the rice is tender and water absorbed.
  5. Step 5: Turn off heat and let the rice rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Gently fluff the rice with a fork and stir in 2 tbsp butter if desired for richness.
  6. Step 6: Transfer the rice to a serving dish, top with the reserved caramelized onions, and serve warm.

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