Simple Cumin Basmati Rice Recipes

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.

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.

JEERA (CUMIN) RICE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium size saucepan over a medium-high heat. Drop in the cumin seeds, and cook until they splutter. Do not allow the cumin seeds to burn or become really dark brown in color. Add the rice and fry it in the oil for about 1 minute.
• Add the water and salt and bring to a boil. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan. Cook the rice for approximately 15 minutes. If you feel the rice is getting burnt near the base of the pan as it cooks, one trick is to place the saucepan on another flat pan or griddle which is directly on the flame. Toss with a fork.

BASMATI RICE

Steps:

• In a saucepan bring water to a boil. Add rice and stir. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
• When rice is cooked, stir in peas and cumin. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes.