Jeera Rice

Jeera rice or rice with cumin seeds is a very simple preparation. It differs slightly from plain rice as the nice aroma of cumin seed blends very well with the rice. It goes very well with any kind of side dish, either veg or non-veg. For example, the last time I had it with Shahi Chicken Korma and liked the combination a lot. Whenever I wish to have a rice other than plain one, I go for it.

Ingredients to serve 2 :

Basmati rice : 1 cup
Cumin seeds : 1½ tbspoon
Cinnamon – 1 inch stick
Green cardamom – 5 pods
Cloves – 5
Bay leaf – 2
Ghee – 2 tbspoon
Salt & sugar to taste

Procedure :

Rinse the rice 2 – 3 times with water, keep it in water for 10 minutes and then strain the water from it and spread it over a plate to become dry.

Take 2½ cup of water in a pan and put ½ tbspoon cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves into it. Boil the water till it reduces to 2 cups and then strain the extract.

In a large pan melt the ghee over medium flame. Add the remaining cumin seeds, saute till you get a nice aroma from it and then add the dried rice to it. Fry the rice very well until it pops out from the pan. Add the warm extract (made previously), salt and sugar into it. Let it boil for few minutes on high flame, then cover the pan and put the gas on low. Cook until the rice get cooked and all the water dries out.

Now spread the hot rice over a plate so that it doesn’t become sticky.

Serve hot with any veg or non-veg side dish.