Turkish cuisine · Dough, Pasta & Rice

Domatesli Pilav (Tomato Rice Pilaf)

Buttery long-grain rice with fresh tomato cubes and tomato paste, gently steamed and served with pul biber.

Ingredients · for 4 servings

• 300 g long-grain rice
• 3 ripe tomatoes
• 1 onion
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 40 g butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 600 ml vegetable stock
• 1 tsp pul biber (Aleppo pepper)
• Salt, pepper

Instructions

1. Cover the rice with lukewarm salted water in a bowl, soak for 15 min., then rinse until the water stays clear; drain well.
2. Peel, deseed and finely dice the tomatoes; chop the onion very finely.
3. Melt butter and olive oil in a pot and sauté the onion over medium heat for 4–5 min. until glassy, without browning.
4. Add the tomato paste and roast for 1 min. until it darkens and smells fragrant, then add the tomato cubes and simmer uncovered for 5 min. until the mixture is thick.
5. Stir in the rice, toss for 2 min., pour in the hot stock, season with salt, bring to a boil once, then cover and cook over the lowest heat for 12–14 min. until the liquid is fully absorbed.
6. Remove from the heat, place a kitchen towel under the lid, let steam for 10 min., fluff gently with a fork and serve sprinkled with pul biber.