Geelrys - South African Yellow Rice

I have grown up familiar with the varieties of rice -both South Indian and North Indian style. The colour yellow is something I always associate with Pongal or tangy lemon rice spiced to perfection. So I was surprised to see a South African Yellow rice with raisins and spiced with my favourite "Cinnamon". It is usually served as a side dish to chicken pie or other meat dishes -may be as a little sweet accompaniment!.This is similar to or equivalent to the pilaf/ Indian pulao which also has spices and optionally cashews and raisins as well. I tried it from here but made sure it was less sweet as I prefer savoury rices.

Ingredients:
Basmati Rice/ Any long grain rice :  1/2 cup
Raisins : 3-4 tbsp
Cinnamon: 1 big stick
Turmeric: a pinch
 Salt: as per taste
Butter: 1-2 tbsp

Optional:
Pepper: as per taste

OR 

Cinnamon Sugar: as per taste

Preparation:

Bring water to boil in a deep pan on stovetop. Add in the other ingredients and return to boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook till done.

If there is more water, drain it out and fluff the rice with a fork. Top with more butter and add pepper (to make it spicy) or cinnamon sugar for a sweeter side/dessert. 

I preferred it spicy with pepper and also reduce around 1 tbsp of raisins as I did not want their sweetness in the rice.The black raisins are a nice contrast to the yellowness of the rice and also impart their colour to the surrounding rice grains as well.

I had this with a spicy gravy like chakalaka. You can also go for raitha or spiced yogurt for relishing this comforting rice.