Nothing Much in the Cupboard Iraqi Rice Meal (Gluten Free, Veget

When you don't have much on hand in your Iraqi cupboard this is a delicious basic meal that DH, DD (toddler) and I enjoy! Many women enjoy date syrup a lot while pregnant and this is good for a nonirritating the stomach, meal. Amounts are approximate.

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 2-3
• Yields: 2 Plates

Ingredients

• 1  cup  white basmati rice, washed and soaked as much as needed depending on quality
• 2  cups water
•  sea salt, to taste
• 1⁄4 cup  plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, divided (butter is essential, oil or margarine is not to be subbed here)
• 3  whole cardamom pods, crushed slightly to open a bit
• 1⁄3 teaspoon turmeric powder (It's really for colour)
•  scant 1/2 cup date molasses (dibis tamar in Middle Eastern shops)
•  balkan yogurt, to serve

Directions

1. Melt 1 tbs butter in pot to cook rice, add spices and stir until fragrant, add drained rice and stir carefully to coat making sure not to break grains (depending on rices quality).
2. Add water to rice in desired amount, add sea salt to taste, bring to a boil and cook until done.
3. Turn off burner and leave top on 5 minutes or more.
4. Melt remaining butter in a small pan, add dibis and warm and mix together.
5. Serve rice with the butter mixed with dibis in a bowl and Balkan yogurt stirred until smooth in another.
6. Eat with a bit of both added over the rice.
7. Enjoy!