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Geelrys is Afrikaans, literally meaning ‘yellow rice’. It is a staple of South African meals.
We Iranians are known for our variety of decadent rice dishes. To my pleasant surprise, the fragrance with which this rice filled my kitchen was unique and amazing. The fusion of all the ingredients made this rice taste creamy. I am very pleased to have learned this very simple and yet so wonderfully delicious rice dish.
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Geelrys • Yellow Rice
Recipe by: Fae’s Twist & Tango (fae-magazine.com)
INGREDIENTS
• 380 g/ 2 cups rice, basmati preferred
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter (or vegetable oil)
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• 1 stick/quill cinnamon
• 160 g/ 1 cup raisins (mixed jumbo raisins used here)
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp salt
• rind of ½ lemon
• 3 cups hot water
DIRECTIONS
◊ If using basmati rice, after washing thoroughly, soak in water for up to 30 minutes.
◊ In a medium-size pot, heat butter on medium-high. Add turmeric and cinnamon and sauté for 5 seconds.
◊ Add raisins, sugar, salt and lemon rind, hot water and bring to boil.
◊ Drain the rice well and add to the boiling water. While stirring, bring to a boil again. Lower the heat to medium-low, put on the lid and let it cook until the water is all absorbed (about 20 minutes) and steamed for 5 minutes.
( –If using electric rice-cooker, add drained rice to the rice-cooker, add boiling rest of the ingredients, stir, and turn on the switch.)
◊ Fluff the cooked rice as you dish out onto the serving dish. Remove the cinnamon quill and lemon rind before serving.
~ Smaaklike ete! Lekker eet! ~
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So, what’s cooking in your kitchen?
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This sounds very similar to the lemon rice that I make. Didn’t know African dishes have something in common with Indian dishes. The dish looks lovely!
Absolutely! Indian emigrants/immigrants have influenced many of the dishes of Southeast Asia, West Africa and South Middle-East.
I made rice last night for a stir-fry with shrimp and it had lemon zest and lemon juice in it – I really liked it. I am sure I would enjoy this yellow rice recipe of yours 🙂
Ooo, I’m sure you would too, Aunt Juju! 😛
Bobotie and geelrys! Yesss! Glad you liked it. We also call it begrafnisrys translated meaning funeral rice. Don’t ask…. It came from the years where people lived very far apart and only came together for big events like a funeral and then cooked very traditional foods.
😀 ))) How funny. I’m posting bobotie next!
When I first looked at the pic (glanced is more like it), I was wondering why the peanuts on the South Indian Lemon Rice looked so wrinkly… 😳
A closer look revealed this wonderful dish. Would you serve it with any particular side-dish or just by itself?
😀 ))) Hi Aruna! This rice can be served with anything, really. In South Africa, it is common to be served with dish called bobotie (which I am posting next), also includes rasins. Now I am curious about the South Indian lemon rice! 😛 Have you posted the recipe?
I love this rice dish, but then I am a big fan of rice and you are so right, Iranian rice dishes are the best. This sounds so easy to make and looks delicious.
It is so~ easy, so~ delicious and so~ satisfying, that you should give it a try, Suzanne! 😛
I didn’t know this rice was South African! Mum always makes it but I believe she doesn’t know it either. Delicious!
It really is! Surprise you Mom! 🙂
Turmeric is a staple ingredient, it has it’s own health benefit as well, I have it most of my meal, even baking!
Hi Mochi, I have not used turmeric in baking yet, but learning from my Mom, I use turmeric in many, many dishes of mine too.
It was an Iranian lady we met in Dubai some 30 years ago that first introduced me to wonderful rice dishes and many of the flavours that I now love 🙂 this looks great xx
Merci, Elaine. This South African rice is very delicious. Soon, I will be posting a few mixed Iranian rice dishes. 😛
Lovely!
Oh, you know I LOVE my rice dishes Fae. And this one looks like another winner. xox
Hi Lidia! This rice is so~ easy to make. Please give it a try. All four of your girls would love them. I guarantee! 😛
Looks great; I haven’t had this kind of rice forever. Thanks for the reminder. We had BIBIMBOP, another rice dish, today which also delicious, though, and I am enjoying the Korean cuisine while I still can- just a few more days here. Life is short, carpe diem,
D
Ooo, I love bibimbop. This rice is so~ different my friend. Easy to make, please give it a go.
That goes so well with bobotie too!
Yes, and I have a recipe for it. I was going to make it too, but time became an issue. I will make it someday soon.