Ouzi rice

Ouzi is one of those dishes that always feels like a celebration. It’s the kind of meal that makes the table look full and festive. Traditionally, it’s made with fragrant basmati rice, warm spices, mince, peas, and a generous sprinkle of toasted nuts on top.

This version is my own little twist; a plant-based, one-pot take that keeps all the beautiful flavours but skips the meat. I love that it still carries the same warmth and comfort, while feeling a little lighter and simpler to prepare.

It’s the sort of recipe you make when you want something that feels special without spending the whole day in the kitchen. Hearty, fragrant, and made for sharing. And I hope that when you make it one day, it brings that same sense of celebration to your table, no matter the occasion.

Ingredients

For the Rice & Plant-Based Meat:

• 2 cups basmati rice, rinsed

• 1 lb (450g) plant-based mince meat

• 1 large onion, diced

• 1½ cups frozen peas

• 3–4 cups vegetable broth

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp vegan butter or olive oil

Spices (or 2 tsp Lebanese 7-Spice blend):

• 1 tsp ground allspice

• ½ tsp ground cinnamon

• ½ tsp ground cloves

• ½ tsp ground white pepper

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For Garnish:

• ¼ cup slivered almonds

• ¼ cup pine nuts

• Chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

Step 1: Heat the olive oil and vegan butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until soft and translucent. Stir in the plant-based ground meat along with the spices, salt, and pepper. Cook for a few minutes, stirring often, until heated through and well coated in the spices.

Step2: Mix in the frozen peas and rinsed basmati rice. Stir everything together and let it toast gently for 2–3 minutes so the rice absorbs all those warm flavours.

Step 3: Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 15–20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed.

Step 4: While the rice cooks, toast the almonds and pine nuts in a small pan with a little vegan butter or olive oil until golden and fragrant.

Step 5: Gently fluff the ouzi with a fork, then spoon it into sheets of filo pastry using a breakfast bowl to shape into small parcels. 

Step6: Place the parcels on a baking tray and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 15 minutes, or until golden and crisp. Serve warm with tzatziki yogurt on the side and enjoy.

💬 If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear how it turns out for you.