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Majboos served with walnuts and raisins
Aromatic basmati rice pilaf enriched with toasted walnuts and sweet dark raisins

Majboos with walnuts and raisins

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Side Dishes
Majboos (or Machboos) is the festive rice dish of the Persian Gulf region, a relative of biryani. The soul of the dish is 'bezar', the spice mix permeating every grain of rice. In this vegetarian version, the crunch of walnuts and sweetness of raisins play against cinnamon-savoury base notes. Not a side dish, but a majestic course on its own.
🕒 Prep Time 10 mins
🍳 Cook Time 20 mins
⌛ Total Time 30 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 400 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Middle Eastern

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Heavy-bottomed pot with lid
  • Sieve for washing rice

Allergen Information

⚠️ Nuts

Instructions

1 ✓

Place rice in a sieve and wash under cold running water until water runs completely clear. Let drain.

Tip: Fine starch powder on rice surface causes stickiness. Washing makes grains fluffy after cooking.
2 ✓

Soak raisins in lukewarm water for 10 minutes to plump up.

Tip: Rehydrated raisins become juicy and soft in the rice, not chewy, dry pieces.
3 ✓

In a dry frying pan or the pot, roast coarsely chopped walnuts for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, then remove.

Tip: Roasting (heat treatment) activates oils in nuts, making taste much more intense.
4 ✓

Heat oil in the pot, toss in rice, and fry for 1 minute (coating grains in oil). Add salt, cinnamon, and sugar.

Tip: Oil coating helps grains not stick together during cooking.
5 ✓

Pour in hot water, stir once (and only once!), then cover. Cook on low heat for 10-12 minutes until water is absorbed.

Tip: Stirring breaks grains and releases starch -> sticky (risotto effect), which we want to avoid here.
6 ✓

Turn off heat, gently fold in drained raisins and walnuts, then replace lid for 5-10 minutes to rest (steam).

Tip: During resting, moisture distributes evenly inside rice grains.

Recipe FAQ

Why is my rice sticky?
Likely not rinsed enough, or too much water used. With basmati, removing starch is crucial.
Can I swap the walnuts?
Almonds or cashews also fit perfectly.

Ingredients

  • 250 g Basmati rice
  • 500 ml Hot water
  • 100 g Walnuts
  • 50 g Raisins (preferably dark)
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil or Ghee
  • 0.5 tsp Ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tbsp Sugar