Basmati Rice Indian Style Food

JEERA RICE RECIPE

Steps:

• Wash rice a few times until water runs clear.
• Then soak it in lot of water for at least 30 mins. Drain it completely.
• Heat ghee or oil in a pressure cooker or a pot.
• Saute bay leaf, cloves, cinnamon, cardamoms and mace until they begin to sizzle.
• Fry jeera on a low flame until a nice aroma comes out. Add green chilli.
• Transfer drained rice to the pot or cooker and fry for 2 to 3 mins. Do not stir vigorously as the rice grains will break.
• This frying step helps to bring out the aroma of the rice.
• Pour water and add salt. Stir well and taste the water. It must be slightly salty. Bring water to a boil on a high flame.
• Making Jeera rice in pot - Cover and cook on a low to medium heat until water is absorbed & rice is done. Once done, turn off the heat and let the rice rest in the pot for 15 mins. This helps the grains to expand and become fluffy.
• Making Jeera rice in pressure cooker - Cover the pressure cooker with a lid. Cook on a high heat for 1 whistle. For al dente rice, I release the pressure carefully after 2 mins with the help of a wooden spatula.
• When the pressure releases completely, open the lid and fluff up jeera rice with a fork. Serve with any curry.
• Press saute button and pour ghee to the inner pot of instant pot.
• Add all the spices & saute for 1 min until they turn fragrant. Add the drained rice and chilli. Saute for 2 mins stirring occasionally. Do not stir a lot, rice grains will break.
• Pour 1¾ cups plus 2 tbsps water and add salt. Stir and taste the water. If needed add more salt.
• Secure the lid & position the steam release handle to sealing.
• Press the pressure cook button, set to high pressure. Set the timer for 5 mins.
• When done the instant pot beeps. Let the pressure release naturally for a min and release the rest of the pressure manually with the help of a long spoon (moving the vent from sealing to venting). This will give you al dente cooked jeera rice. (Do this always for a larger batch, even for softer rice, refer notes).
• For softer rice, let the pressure release naturally for 3 to 4 mins.
• Fluff up the Jeera rice with a fork & add some coriander leaves. Serve with dal or your favorite curry.

BASMATI RICE - INDIAN STYLE

Steps:

• Place rice into a bowl with enough water to cover. Set aside to soak for 20 minutes. DO NOT skip this step, its very important.
• Heat the oil in a large pot or saucepan over medium heat.
• Add the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, and cumin seed.
• Cook and stir for about a minute, then add the onion to the pot.
• Saute the onion until a rich golden brown, about 10 minutes.
• Drain the water from the rice, and stir into the pot.
• Cook and stir the rice for a few minutes, until lightly toasted.
• Add salt and water to the pot, and bring to a boil.
• Cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 15 minutes, or until all of the water has been absorbed.
• Let stand for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork before serving.
• Remove the pods, cloves, cinnamon stick before serving.

INDIAN STYLE BASMATI RICE

Steps:

• Place rice into a bowl with enough water to cover. Set aside to soak for 20 minutes.
• Heat the oil in a large pot or saucepan over medium heat. Add the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, and cumin seed. Cook and stir for about a minute, then add the onion to the pot. Saute the onion until a rich golden brown, about 10 minutes. Drain the water from the rice, and stir into the pot. Cook and stir the rice for a few minutes, until lightly toasted. Add salt and water to the pot, and bring to a boil. Cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 15 minutes, or until all of the water has been absorbed. Let stand for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork before serving.

CHICKPEA CURRY (INDIAN STYLE) OVER BASMATI RICE

Steps:

• For the rice:.
• Rinse 1 1/2 cups basmati rice in cold water until the rinsing water is no longer cloudy.
• Add 1 tbsp butter to a skillet over medium heat.
• Add rice to skillet and toast in butter for a minute or two until fragrant.
• Add 1/2 tsp salt and 3/4 tsp turmeric and mix into rice.
• Next add 3 cups of water and cover.
• Bring to a slight boil then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 10-12 minutes.
• Remove from heat and let sit a minute or two.
• Fluff rice with fork, and keep covered until ready to serve.
• For the curry:.
• Saute onion and garlic over medium heat until softened and slighty browned.
• Add chili powder or chilli if using and cook for another minute or so.
• Next add the cumin, curry powder and corriander into the onions and garlic and cook for another minute or until fragrant.
• Add chickpeas and reserved liquid, stir to coat evenly with all the spices.
• Next add the lemon juice and tomato paste, cook on medium heat for about 5 more minutes until all is heated through.
• If pan seems try, please add a little water, 1/4 cup at a time.
• Place about 1/3 of the chickpea mixture into a blender and blend for about 20 seconds (here as well, please feel free to add a little water if mixture is too thick to blend).
• Add blended chickpeas back to the pan and cook for another 5 or so minutes.
• Finally, add the 2 tsp of peanut butter, until melted into the curry.
• Stir in 1/2 of the cilantro leaves.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve over the basmati rice and top with remaining cilantro leaves.

FRAGRANT EAST INDIAN BASMATI RICE

Steps:

• TOAST 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds over medium heat in a pot you wish to cook your rice in, until seeds become aromatic and lightly pop.
• ADD 2 cups water, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 4 whole green cardamom pods or 3/8 teaspoon ground cardamom, 1/8 cup frozen peas (optional). NOTE: ADD the curry powder or turmeric from the CREATIVE ADDITIONS FOR YELLOW RICE; ADD up to 4 of the remaining suggested ingredients now as well, if desired.
• RAISE heat to high.
• BRING to a boil.
• ADD 1 cup basmati rice.
• COVER.
• BOIL 1 1/2 minutes.
• REDUCE heat to lowest setting for 40-45 minutes.
• REMOVE cardamom pods and cinnamon stick if desired; FLUFF rice with a fork before serving.
• SERVE with your favorite Indian entree and enjoy!