Paleo Middle Eastern Jeweled Spiced Rice

If your usual meals start to get dull, spice them up by incorporating more paleo Middle Eastern food into your diet. And what better way to start than with this vibrant jeweled rice. This dish is an experience on its own with its varying textures and flavors. One bite takes you from savory to sweet, chewy to crunchy, and spicy to nutty all at once.

What is jeweled rice?

This dish is called jeweled rice because it is golden and glistening, cooked with butter and spices, and piled with toasted nuts and gem-colored dried fruits originating from the Middle East and Persia. It is usually served on occasions like weddings and religious holidays. This dish can be prepared differently according to the country and its native produce. For instance, essential ingredients in the Persian version include saffron and barberries, while in the Middle East, this dish must include cardamom and golden raisins. Moreover, the choice of “jewels” served over the rice reflects the hospitality and generosity of the hosts. Serving the dish with more expensive nuts like pine and pistachio is considered bountiful.

What other nuts can you use in this recipe?

Pine, almonds, and pistachios are the most common nuts in this recipe. However, you can also top this “rice” with cashews, peanuts, or walnuts.

Can you use different dried fruits for this recipe?

Absolutely! Many versions of jeweled rice use different dried fruit. You can swap the raisins and black currants for cranberries, barberries, goji berries, or apricots.

What can you serve with this “rice” dish?

Traditionally, this rice dish is served with meat, usually lamb. However, you can pair this paleo Middle Eastern rice recipe with any other meat dish you prefer. Some options include chicken skewers, kebab, or kofte. You can also find many paleo Middle Eastern recipes on Carb Manager that go beautifully with this meal.