South African Yellow Rice is Easy and Delicious

Tasty Goodness from the Mother Continent

I think I have found my new favorite way to eat rice. I had never heard that the Yellow Rice from South Africa was any different than the yellow stuff you see if you eat in any Spanish, Latin or Caribbean restaurant. I always found that rice to be good, but it never wowed me as something special just vaguely more flavorful than plain rice. When I got to taste Bobotie for the first time At Boma in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, there was some yellow rice sitting next to it. I skipped it as I thought it was just plain old Latin yellow rice. I definitely regret that decision.

After some discussions with my South African coworkers at The Lion King about their homeland and what they like to cook and eat, I found out that Yellow Rice is served everywhere, and there is a big difference from “the other yellow rice”. I, of course, had to figure out a good recipe and Boy Did I ! This rice is delicious. It’s very easy too. You just mix everything in a saucepan and bring it to a boil, cover, and in about 35 minutes you’ve got a bowl of flavorful, slightly sweet, and with fragrant hints of South Africa, yellow rice ready to be chowed into. Hey, it’s even got turmeric in it, so it’s got some anti-inflammatory properties to it too.That means it’s healthy right?

Unlike the latin yellow rice, the yellow rice in South African cooking is slightly sweet and has hints of cinnamon, turmeric, and plump raisins. It goes well with savory dishes, as well as any curry, especially if you are making Bobotie. If you haven’t tried this recipe you are missing out on the very best of South Africa.

South African Yellow Rice gets its origins from the Cape Malays. This ethnic group, which the majority of them live near the Cape of Hope on the southern tip of Africa, originally came from the Dutch West Indies and brought their cooking influence to South Africa with exotic spices and flavors.

Try serving This yellow rice with pork chops and some green beans and you will have an amazing dinner!

5 from 1 vote

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South African Yellow Rice

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

35 mins

Total Time

40 mins

 

A yellow rice from South Africa, slightly sweet with hints of cinnamon, turmeric, and plump raisins. It goes well with savory dishes, as well as any curry, especially if you are making Bobotie.  

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: South African

Keyword: cinnamon, rasians, rice, tumeric, yellow rice

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup long grain white rice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
• 3 tablespoons white sugar or coconut sugar
• a few grinds of fresh black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup black raisins
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 1/2 cups water

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, combine the rice, salt, turmeric, sugar or coconut sugar, black pepper, cinnamon, raisins, butter, and water. 

2. Bring to a boil uncovered. 
   

3. When it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and let it simmer for 25 minutes. 
   

4. Turn off the heat and let stand for 10 minutes. 
   

5. Fluff with a fork. Keep warm until serving time.