Spicy Indian Rice Food

SPICY INDIAN RICE

Steps:

• Fry the onions in the sunflower oil in a large frying pan for 10-12 minutes until golden.
• Fill a roomy saucepan with water, bring to the boil and tip in a heaped teaspoon of salt - the water will bubble furiously. Add turmeric and the cinnamon stick to the water. Pour in the rice, stir once and return to the boil, then turn the heat down a little so that the water is boiling steadily, but not vigorously. Boil uncovered, without stirring (this makes for sticky rice) for 10 minutes. Lift some out with a slotted spoon and nibble a grain or two. If they're too crunchy, cook for another minute and taste again. They should be tender but with a little bite. Drain the rice into a large sieve and rinse by pouring over a kettle of very hot water
• Stir the crushed seeds of the cardamom pods into the onions with the cumin seeds and fry briefly.
• Toss in a large handful of sultanas and roasted cashew nuts, then the hot drained rice. This is great with curry and will also give an exotic edge to grilled meat or fish.

INDIAN SPICED RICE

Steps:

• Cook green onion in butter in a saucepan until tender but not brown.
• Stir in rice, salt garam masala, red pepper and garlic.
• Cook and stir over medium heat for 1 minute.
• Add water.
• Bring to boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes; do not lift lid.
• Remove saucepan from heat.
• Let stand covered for 10 minutes.
• To freeze: Place prepared rice in freezer bag. Seal, pushing out as much air as possible, label and freeze.
• To serve: Thaw in fridge. Place in baking dish and add 1 T.water for each cup of rice. Stir and reheat at 300 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

INDIAN-SPICED RICE WITH LENTILS

Steps:

• Rinse lentils; drain. Place in small bowl. Rinse rice; drain. Place in another small bowl. Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add cinnamon, cloves, and cumin; sauté about 2 minutes. Add garlic and ginger; sauté about 30 seconds. Add water, salt, sugar, and turmeric; bring to boil. Reduce heat; add lentils and cook 8 minutes. Increase heat to high. Add rice and boil 5 minutes. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until lentils and rice are tender and liquid is absorbed, about 8 minutes longer. Remove from heat; let stand covered 5 minutes. Transfer rice to large bowl. Remove cinnamon stick pieces and cloves. Mix in cilantro and lime juice.
• Basmati rice is available at Indian markets and some supermarkets.

INDIAN DIRTY RICE

Steps:

• Rinse basmati rice.
• Melt butter over a medium heat.
• Saute shallots, until they start to soften.
• Add the golden raisins, chopped cashews, and frozen peas.
• Saute until raisins start to plump.
• Add the basmati rice.
• Saute until rice begins to turn white.
• Add the cinnamon stick, pepper corns, cardamom pods, and bay leaf, giving it one last stir.
• Transfer rice mixture to your rice maker and add as much chicken stock as the rice maker recommends for 1 cup of rice. (Mine recommends 1 1/2 cup).
• Start your rice cooker on the white rice setting.
• Remove the hard seasonings, they are not edible.
• Fluff rice and serve.

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.