Basmati Rice with Zucchini

Here is a simple recipe to prepare a delicious Italian-style Basmati Rice with Zucchini:

Ingredients

• 200 g of basmati rice
• 2 medium zucchini
• 1 clove of garlic
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil (optional)
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Preparation

1. Wash and trim the zucchini, then cut them into cubes or slices, depending on your preference.
2. Heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a pan and add the peeled garlic clove. Let it brown slightly.
3. Add the chopped zucchini and sauté until they are tender but still crunchy. Season with salt and pepper.
4. While the zucchini are cooking, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the basmati rice following the instructions on the package for an al dente texture.
5. Once cooked, drain the rice and add it to the pan with the zucchini. Stir well to flavor the rice with the seasoning.
6. If you like, you can add chopped fresh basil to enrich the dish with an aromatic note.
7. Serve the basmati rice with zucchini hot, and if you like, sprinkle with some grated Parmesan cheese.

This dish is very versatile, and you can enrich it with other ingredients such as sautéed shrimp with the zucchini, or toasted almonds to add crunch to the dish.

Fun Facts

Basmati rice is an aromatic type of rice original from India and Pakistan, and its name in Hindi means “the queen of fragrances”. This rice is particularly loved for its unique scent and for its ability to keep the grains separate after cooking, a feature that makes it ideal for many dishes of Asian cuisine and for preparing light and delicate sides like this one.