Name: Rice with Vermicelli and Toasted Almonds Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 2 cups (400 g) long grain rice (e.g., basmati); 1 cup (80 g) broken wheat vermicelli; 3 cups (705 g) cold water; 1½ tsp salt; 5 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil (divided); 1 cup (120 g) slivered almonds; ¾ cup (110 g) golden raisins or sultanas

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Introduction

Rice with vermicelli is a classic, comforting side dish that combines fluffy rice and toasted vermicelli pasta for a delightful texture contrast. Enhanced with golden raisins and toasted almonds, it’s a perfect accompaniment to many meals or a tasty vegetarian option on its own.

A large mound of white rice fills a shallow white plate, with the rice grains looking fluffy and soft. Scattered on top and mixed throughout the rice are golden-brown slivered almonds and dark brown raisins, adding texture and color contrast. A silver serving spoon rests partially buried in the rice near the front left edge of the plate. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a soft, out-of-focus background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cups (400 g) long grain rice (e.g., basmati)
Extra virgin olive oil
1 cup (120 g) slivered almonds
¾ cup (110 g) golden raisins or sultanas
1 cup (80 g) broken wheat vermicelli
3 cups (705 g) cold water
1½ tsp salt

Instructions

Step 1: Line a plate with paper towels. Rinse the rice under cold water using a fine mesh colander. Set both the rinsed rice and plate near the stove.
Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan or small stockpot over medium-low heat. Add the slivered almonds and stir constantly until they turn golden brown, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove almonds with a slotted spoon onto the paper-towel-lined plate and turn off the heat.
Step 3: Add the raisins to the remaining olive oil in the pot. Place it back on low heat and stir for 1 to 2 minutes until the raisins puff up slightly and caramelize. Remove them with a slotted spoon to the plate with the almonds, then turn off the heat.
Step 4: Discard any remaining oil and wipe the pot clean with a paper towel. Add the broken vermicelli and 2 more tablespoons of olive oil to the pot. Stir constantly over medium-low heat until the vermicelli turns light brown, about 3 minutes.
Step 5: Remove the pot from heat and immediately stir in the rinsed rice to cool the vermicelli. Add the cold water to the pot.
Step 6: Place the pot over high heat. Add the salt and 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. When the mixture reaches a boil, cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes without uncovering.
Step 7: After 15 minutes, remove the pot from heat but keep it covered. Let the rice rest undisturbed for at least 5 minutes and up to 30 minutes to finish cooking through residual heat.
Step 8: Fluff the rice gently with a fork, then transfer it to a serving dish. Sprinkle the toasted almonds and caramelized raisins on top before serving.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, try substituting slivered almonds with pine nuts or chopped pistachios.
Using warm water instead of cold can shorten the cooking time slightly.
Serve alongside spiced meats or vegetable stews for a complete meal.
Rinsing the rice thoroughly helps remove excess starch and keeps the grains separate and fluffy.

Storage

Store leftover rice with vermicelli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to restore moisture. Avoid reheating multiple times to maintain texture and flavor.

How to Serve

An oval white plate holds a large pile of white rice as the bottom layer, soft and fluffy in texture. On top, the second layer is a mix of golden brown toasted slivered almonds and dark, wrinkled raisins scattered thickly in the center and spreading out slightly. The contrast between the white rice and the warm, rich browns of the nuts and raisins stands out clearly against the white marbled textured surface underneath. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of rice for this recipe?

Yes, long grain rice like basmati works best for its fluffy texture, but you can use jasmine or other long grain rice varieties. Avoid using short grain rice as it tends to be stickier.

What if I don’t have broken wheat vermicelli?

You can use regular vermicelli and break it into small pieces before toasting. Alternatively, angel hair pasta broken into small pieces works well as a substitute in this dish.