Life won't be colorful if you don't start. Create something that appeals to your eyes and your taste buds.
Creativity can start from anywhere. From white rice for example. Oh, I got the idea to mix rice with spices.
Spices are truly powerful for body health. Usually we mix spices in side dishes. Of course, we can mix spices into the rice.
Spices mixed with rice will create a rich taste in the rice and also add a nice fragrance to the rice. Some of the spices mixed with rice that people around me usually use include turmeric, ginger, bay leaves, cinnamon, and more.
Today I have turmeric. So, I will make "Turmeric Rice". Actually, this menu is inspired by a traditional Indonesian rice menu called "Yellow Rice". However, the yellow rice is served with eggs and anchovies.
Meanwhile, this time I will make "Turmeric Rice" in plant-based version. You can see there are small white particles on top of the rice. Like Scramble eggs but that's not it.
I use TOFU to replace eggs. Surprisingly, the tofu tastes delicious served mixed with rice as a substitute for eggs. Interesting!
The Power Of Turmeric
I feel very blessed and grateful that in my country I can find turmeric at an affordable price. Also, I can easily grow them in my garden.
Turmeric is very good for the body, especially when made into a drink mixed with lemongrass or more. Lately, I often consume turmeric, but in drinks. So, I think it's a good idea to also include turmeric in the food mix.
Turmeric is a spice that is useful for detoxifying the body. Also, anti-inflammatory. It is especially good for women, able to treat menstrual cramps as well as facilitate menstruation.
Turmeric and rice combine deliciously and can also be used as a health property. However, pay attention to the portion size of rice you consume so you don't overdo it in calories.
Well, if you don't have fresh turmeric, you can use turmeric powder which is usually available in Asian markets. Just use one teaspoon of turmeric powder.
Aesthetic Rice
As is my habit, it is very difficult to stop my mind from being creative with my cooking. I feel really bad if I just serve food in the usual way.
It feels good for myself to do more. So, to create an aesthetic rice menu, this time I used vegetables: carrots and green beans. I chose these two types of vegetables because they have two colors that contrast with each other. Also, they can be shaped to the same length.
I'm happy with the final result of my plating. So, I hope you will like my food presentation this time. Stay tuned ❤️
THE INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups of cooked rice
- 1 segment of turmeric or can be replaced with 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder
- 5 small cloves of red onion
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1/2 cup of chopped tofu
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 bay leaves
- (optional) 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
Complementary
- one carrot
- one handful of green beans
- 3 cloves of garlic, chopped
- a pinch of salt
- a little water to avoid burning the garlic and vegetables
Cooking Instructions
Prepare Veggies
Cut a carrot and green beans to the same height. This is to beautify the presentation later. But you can use random shapes for daily food that doesn't prioritize food presentation.
Chop Tofu
Before chopping tofu, make sure the tofu has been dried. This is because tofu is always stored in water to maintain the freshness of the tofu. So, when removed from the packaging, it must be dried before being processed again into cooking.
Then chop the tofu into small pieces. For an instant way, you can use a chopper. But make sure it's only short so the tofu doesn't break down into pulp in texture.
Make Turmeric Paste
Continue with seasoning, mix turmeric, garlic, and all seasoning powder. Then, pound them together until they are completely mixed. I use a traditional tool.
You can use a blender. But make sure you don't mix in water so that the turmeric paste maintains a paste texture with not a lot of water content. Later the garlic and red onion will release water when pounded together.
Stir-fry Veggies
We will make stir-fried veggies first. Heat the oil,then add finely chopped garlic. When it is slightly browned, add the carrots and green beans.
Also, a little water to avoid burning also makes it easier for them to cook. Cook for about 5 minutes or according to the level of doneness of the vegetables you want. Add a pinch of salt to create a balanced taste.
Cook Turmeric Paste
Heat a little cooking oil. Then, add turmeric paste and bay leaves using low heat. Stir them until they change color slightly.
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Add Chopped Tofu and Rice
Add chopped tofu first. Stir well until combaine well with turmeric paste. Then, add rice and stir well with turmeric paste. Increase the heat level to make it easier for the rice not to clump.
However, we have to keep stirring the rice until it is mixed well with the turmeric paste. Rice will burn on the bottom and create black particles if not stirred. Cook until the rice and turmeric paste are completely mixed and the rice doesn't look lumpy. Remove and serve.
THE RESULTS
I used a circle pastry cutter to shape the rice and vegetables. I form turmeric rice and vegetables simultaneously on one tool.
It's just that I need to press down the rice a little which is near the veggies. This is to make the veggies look stuck to the rice. Also, it doesn't fall when the rice maker is released.
Whooa, I love the visuals and taste! Feels like a fun way to consume turmeric! So, what about your opinion, veggie lovers?
Thank you for reading my blog and reblog if you want my blog this time worthy of reading by others.
Best Regards,
Anggrek Lestari
Anggrek Lestari is an Indonesian fiction writer who has published two major books. Now She is a full-time content creator. She has a goal to share life, poem, and food content that makes others happy and can get inspiration.
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Discord: anggreklestari#3009