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Jeweled Rice Stuffed Onions

Jeweled Rice Stuffed Onions: A Vibrant Festive Delight

Vibrant Jeweled Rice Stuffed Onions are a colorful vegetarian dish perfect for festive occasions.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Cooling Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 4 onions
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

For the Onions
  • 4 large Yellow Onions Sweet onions can be used as an alternative.
  • 1 tbsp Kosher Salt Sea salt can be substituted.
For the Rice Filling
  • 1 cup Basmati Rice Rinse to remove excess starch.
  • 1 pinch Crushed Saffron Turmeric can be used for color but will change taste.
  • 2 tbsp Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Any neutral oil can be used.
  • 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter Replace with margarine or olive oil for dairy-free.
  • 2 cups Water Vital for cooking rice.
  • 1 cup Dried Fruits (Golden Raisins, Dried Tart Cherries) Chopped apricots or figs can be used.
  • 1/2 cup Sliced Almonds Walnuts or pecans can be substituted.
  • 1/2 cup Shelled Salted Pistachios Adjust according to dietary needs.
For Seasoning
  • 1 tsp Ground Cumin Ground coriander can be an alternative.
  • 1 tsp Ground Cardamom Allspice can be substituted, but use less.
  • 1 stick Cinnamon Stick Ground cinnamon can be used, adjust accordingly.
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper White pepper is a milder alternative.
  • 1/4 cup Chopped Parsley Cilantro or mint can be used instead.
  • 1 pinch Flaky Finishing Salt Optional for extra flavor.

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • oven-safe skillet
  • baking sheet
  • Baking Dish

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Cut the root and tip off each onion, then peel them thoroughly and make a slit in one side. Boil onions in salted water for about 20 minutes until slightly translucent.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast sliced almonds on a baking sheet for about 5 minutes until golden brown.
  3. In an oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the diced inner onion layers until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add rinsed rice and half the melted butter, stirring to combine.
  4. Add crushed saffron, lemon juice, cumin, cardamom, and a cinnamon stick to the rice. Pour in water and simmer, covering the skillet for about 3 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat and fold in toasted almonds, pistachios, dried fruits, and parsley. Stir to combine before stuffing.
  6. Fill each onion shell with approximately 2 tablespoons of the rice mixture and arrange them side by side on a sheet tray.
  7. Preheat oven to 400°F. Drizzle olive oil into a baking dish and place stuffed onions in a single layer. Add a touch of water, season, and drizzle with remaining butter. Cover with foil and bake for 30-40 minutes.
  8. Remove from oven, drizzle with olive oil, garnish with parsley and extra nuts and dried fruits. Serve warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1onionCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 6gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 300mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat in a preheated oven.

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