Sweet Rice with Cilantro Pesto
4 servings
25 minutes
Sweet rice with cilantro pesto is an unusual blend of Japanese traditions and the freshness of greens. This recipe is inspired by Eastern cuisine, where rice takes center stage and sauces add unique flavor nuances. Tender, slightly sweet rice infused with the aroma of rice vinegar and cane sugar pairs beautifully with vibrant cilantro pesto made from sesame seeds and garlic. Lemon juice adds freshness while soy sauce provides a subtle salty depth. Served with crispy strips of leek and carrot, this rice becomes not just a dish but a true gastronomic symphony. It is perfect as a standalone dish or as a side to fish and seafood. Simple to prepare yet refined in taste, it offers you a sense of lightness and enjoyment of Japanese cuisine.
1
Pour water over the rice to about a finger's depth, let it sit for five minutes, then cook without adding any seasonings, even salt. Cook for 14-18 minutes depending on the type of rice.
- Sushi rice: 250 g
2
Mix sugar with vinegar for sushi and pour the mixture into the rice when it's ready, stirring gently with a soft spatula, trying not to turn the rice into mush.
- Sushi vinegar (seasoned rice vinegar): 50 ml
- Cane sugar: 2 teaspoons
3
In a blender, mix cilantro, sesame seeds, oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, and garlic. Serve rice with this sauce, along with leeks and carrots cut into thin strips.
- Cilantro: 100 g
- Sesame seeds: 20 g
- Sesame oil: 20 ml
- Garlic: 2 cloves
- Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon
- Soy sauce: 1 tablespoon
- Leek: 50 g
- Carrot: 50 g