Name: Basic White Rice (Ruz Imfalfal)
Yield: Serves 5–6
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 1½ teaspoons salt; Extra virgin olive oil or vegetable oil, as needed; 3½ cups (approximately 840 milliliters) water; Cold water for soaking; 2 cups (approximately 390 grams) medium-grain rice

Preparation info

Serves
5–6

Difficulty
Easy

Appears in

The Gaza Kitchen

By Laila El-Haddad and Maggie Schmitt

Published 2021

About

In Gaza, the most widely available rice is the Egyptian medium- or short-grain rice provided through emergency rations. In recent years, Palestinian expatriates returning home from the Gulf states have introduced their families to basmati rice, though this is a luxury few can afford in large quantities.

Ingredients

2 cups (approximately 390 grams) medium-grain rice
1½ teaspoons salt

Method

In a bowl, wash the rice well, adding fresh water until it no longer runs cloudy (probably three or four 4 times), then soak it in clean, cold water for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain well.

Heat 4 tablespoons of oil in a medium saucepan. Add the rice and the salt and stir on medium-high heat for 2