Jul 13 2026
Restaurants›Ali Baba›Side Rice Recipe

Side Rice Recipe

Inspired by Ali Baba
Time30m
Serves4

Make Side Rice Recipe in just 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Rice

Method

Cooking the Rice

  1. 1

    Rinse the Rice

    Start by rinsing the long-grain rice in cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming sticky.

  2. 2

    Boil Water

    In a medium saucepan, add 2 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.

  3. 3

    Add Rice

    Once the water is boiling, add the rinsed rice to the saucepan. Stir briefly to ensure the rice is evenly distributed.

  4. 4

    Simmer

    Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a lid, and let the rice simmer for about 18-20 minutes. Do not lift the lid during cooking to retain steam.

  5. 5

    Remove from Heat

    After the cooking time is up, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes to allow the rice to finish cooking.

  6. 6

    Fluff and Add Oil

    After resting, fluff the rice with a fork. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the rice and mix gently.

Seasoning the Rice

  1. 7

    Add Seasoning

    Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and 1 teaspoon of black pepper over the rice. Mix gently to combine the spices evenly.

  2. 8

    Garnish

    If using parsley, add 2 tablespoons of fresh or dried parsley to the rice and mix well. This adds flavor and a pop of color.

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