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    Home » Side Dishes

    Turmeric Rice with Cashews & Dried Cherries

    Published: Mar 30, 2017 · Modified: May 2, 2022 by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 13 Comments

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    Kick up your side dish game with this Turmeric Rice recipe, complete with crunchy cashews and sweet-tart cherries.
    Kick up your side dish game with this Turmeric Rice recipe, complete with crunchy cashews and sweet-tart cherries. Vegan and gluten free. 108 calories and 3 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

    You can't beat guests who show up on your doorstep with a full dinner in hand! Last week when my parents came for a visit from Canada, they unloaded dish upon dish of scrumptious food from the cooler in the back of their car. Thick, meaty lamb chops in a Greek-inspired tomato sauce, an apple pie, a berry pie, stinky cheeses (love!), four different types of olives, and a dish of savory rice with cashews and dried cherries.

    Best guests ever, right?

    Kick up your side dish game with this Turmeric Rice recipe, complete with crunchy cashews and sweet-tart cherries. Vegan and gluten free. 108 calories and 3 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

    I didn't have the exact recipe for the rice on hand, but did my best to re-create it. The original idea came from a dear family friend, Barbara, who helps my parents with some meals and whipped up this amazing feast. She also happens to be one of the most creative people I've ever met. This woman can do everything from drafting plans for a brilliant, environmentally friendly house to raising ducks to producing a wonderful meal at the drop of a hat. I want to be Barbara when I grow up!

    The bright yellow color of this turmeric rice comes from ground turmeric, which can be found in the spice section of most grocery stores. I also added some garam masala for extra flavor. If you don't have garam masala on hand, ground coriander would be a good substitute.

    Kick up your side dish game with this Turmeric Rice recipe, complete with crunchy cashews and sweet-tart cherries. Vegan and gluten free. 108 calories and 3 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

    I always opt for brown rice for the extra hit of fiber. In this recipe, I used brown jasmine rice, but brown basmati would work just as well. And then the best part...crunchy cashews and sweet-tart dried cherries.

    Kick up your side dish game with this Turmeric Rice recipe, complete with crunchy cashews and sweet-tart cherries. Vegan and gluten free. 108 calories and 3 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

    This turmeric rice works well as a side for almost any protein - pork tenderloin, braised chicken thighs and so on - or as a base for a savory curry.

    Kick up your side dish game with this Turmeric Rice recipe, complete with crunchy cashews and sweet-tart cherries. Vegan and gluten free. 108 calories and 3 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

    Turmeric Rice with Cashews & Dried Cherries

    Kick up your side dish game with this Turmeric Rice recipe, complete with crunchy cashews and sweet-tart cherries. Vegan and gluten free. 108 calories and 3 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dishes
    Cuisine: Indian
    Keyword: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 5 Cups
    Calories: 107.7kcal
    Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

    Ingredients

    • 1 teaspoon olive oil
    • 1 small shallot minced
    • ½ teaspoon garam masala
    • ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
    • 1 cup brown jasmine rice or basmati
    • 2 cups water
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ⅓ cup raw cashews
    • ¼ cup dried cherries
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    Instructions

    • Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Add the shallot and saute until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garam masala and turmeric.
    • Stir in the rice, water and salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Simmer, covered, until all of the liquid is absorbed, about 35 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
    • Stir in the cashews and dried cherries. Serve.

    Notes

    Weight Watchers Points: 3 (Freestyle SmartPoints), 3 (SmartPoints), 3 (Points+)

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5Cup | Calories: 107.7kcal | Carbohydrates: 18.9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2.7g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 59.5mg | Fiber: 1.5g | Sugar: 2.8g
    Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

    Disclosure: This post contains links to my Amazon affiliate page. Any revenue made from sales through these links helps to support this blog. Thank you!

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Frances

        August 29, 2021 at 1:46 pm

        5 stars
        Wonderful recipe, We loved it, had it with some marinated shrimp and more veggies that were Indian spiced. Rice perfect with that. A favorite

        Reply
      2. Sheila

        September 27, 2020 at 8:07 pm

        5 stars
        Amazing recipe!

        Reply
        • Dara

          October 02, 2020 at 11:39 am

          Thank you!

          Reply
      3. Anna

        March 10, 2018 at 6:08 pm

        What's the chopped green herb in the pictures? parsley?

        Reply
        • Dara

          March 12, 2018 at 4:57 pm

          If you'd like a little pop of green, like in the photo, you could add either minced flat-leaf parsley or cilantro. Either would work!

          Reply
      4. Jessica | The Novice Chef

        April 02, 2017 at 5:41 pm

        Ohhh.... I love that you included dried cherries!

        Reply
      5. Jenni

        March 31, 2017 at 8:49 pm

        This looks so good! I love all the flavors in these! Yummy!

        Reply
      6. Cathy Trochelman

        March 31, 2017 at 9:25 am

        I could make a meal out of this rice! It looks amazing!

        Reply
      7. Melanie | Melanie Makes

        March 30, 2017 at 10:05 pm

        Love the gorgeous color of the rice from the tumeric!

        Reply
      8. Erin @ The Speckled Palate

        March 30, 2017 at 6:49 pm

        This rice just looks insanely delicious! I love the additions of cashews and dried cherries - they elevate the whole side!

        Reply
      9. Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious

        March 30, 2017 at 5:49 pm

        I love the color turmeric gives the rice. The cranberries really pop!

        Reply
      10. Missy @MySh!ttyKitchen

        March 30, 2017 at 12:10 pm

        I love adding turmeric to things! It is so good for you ans so colorful! I think I have all of this already at my house, will have to try!

        Reply
      11. Amy @ Little Dairy on the Prairie

        March 30, 2017 at 11:54 am

        The color of this dish is gorgeous! I love all the textures anf flavors in here!

        Reply

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      I'm Dara, a Canadian living in the U.S. and sharing my favorite healthy recipes. My cooking motto is that healthy eating never needs to be boring!

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