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Arroz natalino
Christmas rice with raisins
Arroz natalino: Brazilian Christmas rice with carrot, raisins and toasted almonds
On the night of 24 December, when Brazilian families sit down to the ceia de Natal close to midnight, a big bowl of festive rice sits beside the roast, golden with grated carrot and studded with raisins and toasted almonds. Some families in São Paulo and the South add diced tinned peaches, which divides the table every year. It is a plain garlicky white rice at heart, made special by the sweet and crunchy things folded in at the end. Chef's tip: add the raisins while the rice rests so they plump in the steam without turning soggy.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
For the rice
To finish
- 2 ⅛ oz dark and golden raisins
- 1 ¾ oz flaked almonds
- 3 ½ oz tinned peaches in syrup, drained and diced (optional)
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What you'll need
Spices & pantry
Fresh ingredients (4)
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Rinse the 10 ½ oz long-grain white rice in a sieve until the water runs clear, then drain well.
3 minStep 4: Take the pan off the heat, scatter the 2 ⅛ oz dark and golden raisins on top, cover again and leave to rest for 5 minutes.
5 minStep 5: Toast the 1 ¾ oz flaked almonds in a dry pan over a medium heat for 3 minutes until golden. Fluff the rice with a fork and fold in the almonds, 2 tbsp chopped parsley and spring onion and 3 ½ oz tinned peaches in syrup, drained and diced.
4 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 290 kcal
- Protein
- 6 g
- Carbs
- 50 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does arroz natalino take?
- About 40 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of long-grain white rice?
- Any long-grain rice, same amount.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
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Perfect for:Christmas




