Description
This easy pumpkin rice recipe combines the natural sweetness of pumpkin with aromatic spices, coconut milk, and long-grain rice to create a creamy, comforting, and satisfying one-pot dish perfect for fall or any cozy meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 3 tablespoons of neutral oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 pounds of pumpkin, peeled, seeded, and cubed
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon of allspice
- 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoons of salt
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
Liquids & Others
- 1 (13.5-ounce) can of full-fat coconut milk
- 2 ½ cups of water
- 2 bouillon cubes
- 2 cups of long-grain rice
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot with a lid, heat the neutral oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to slightly char and soften, enhancing their flavors.
- Wash Rice: While the vegetables cook, place the long-grain rice in a large bowl filled with water. Use your hands to move the rice around and then drain the cloudy water. Repeat this rinsing process until the water runs mostly clear, then drain the rice thoroughly in a colander and set aside.
- Add Spices and Pumpkin: When the veggies begin to char, add the allspice, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir continuously for 20 to 30 seconds to toast the spices and release their aromas. Then add the cubed pumpkin and stir well to combine everything evenly.
- Add Liquids and Bouillon: Pour in the full-fat coconut milk, water, and add the two bouillon cubes. Stir the mixture and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat, ensuring the bouillon cubes dissolve completely.
- Add Rice and Simmer: Once boiling, add the washed rice to the pot. Mix gently to distribute the rice evenly. Cover the pot with the lid, reduce the heat to low to maintain a simmer, and cook undisturbed for 15 minutes.
- Rest the Rice: After 15 minutes, do not remove the lid. Let the pot sit undisturbed for an additional 10 minutes to allow the rice to finish steaming and absorb all the flavors.
- Final Stir and Adjust: Remove the lid and gently stir the rice to combine everything thoroughly. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed for seasoning balance.
- Optional Additional Steam: If the rice is slightly undercooked or raw in parts, cover the pot again and leave it undisturbed for another 10 to 15 minutes until the rice becomes creamy and fully cooked to your preference.
Notes
- This recipe is a one-pot meal, combining vegetable stock flavor from bouillon cubes and creamy coconut milk, delivering a rich, smooth texture.
- Using real pumpkin adds natural sweetness and nutrition, making the dish both comforting and hearty.
- Be careful not to lift the lid during cooking and resting times to ensure the rice cooks evenly and absorbs moisture properly.
- Adjust seasoning at the end to suit your taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 726 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 1391 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.04 g
- Carbohydrates: 102 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 0.1 mg
