Jeera rice|Cumin rice is a simple, yet flavorful rice dish. It is usually made with basmati rice, cumin seeds, and ghee or butter. To make this dish more interesting I add whole spices like bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom.
Cumin- The Spice
Cumin is my absolutely favorite spice. It imparts a very unique flavor to any dish. In Indian cuisine, both whole and ground cumin are used in various dishes. In some dishes, cumin is tempered in oil; some recipes call for the use of cumin powder; in some other dishes it is dry roasted and ground to make masala for curry or gravy; and in some dishes it just added to the curry or gravy as whole to impart flavor.
Cumin has various health benefits. It is known to regulate digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties. This very interesting article details the health benefits of cumin.
How to make Jeera rice|Cumin rice?
I usually begin by washing and soaking basmati rice for 20 minutes. Add 2 and 1/2 cups of water to a large pot along with all the whole spices: cumin, bay leaves, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. Let the water come to a rolling boil. Now I add the soaked basmati rice to the pot; add ghee (clarified butter) or butter, salt to the water and rice; and leave the heat setting at medium-high. I do not cover pan and let the rice cook until all the water is absorbed.
Serving suggestions
Jeera rice|Cumin rice can be served with any spicy Indian curry or gravy. I love to have it with Paneer butter masala, or channa masala or my one-pot chicken curry.
Jeera Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups Basmati rice soaked in water for 20 minutes
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 2 inch cinnamon
- 5 cloves
- 6 Green cardamom
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp ghee clarified butter
- salt as needed
- 2½ cups water
Instructions
- Wash and soak 2 cups of basmati rice in water for 20 minutes
- In a deep pot, add 2½ cups of water and the spices. Bring it to a boil, add the ghee and salt.
- Now add the soaked basmati rice
- Keep it on medium-high heat and let the rice cook.
- Use a fork to stir once to make sure the rice at the bottom is not burnt
- Serve hot with your favorite curry
Direction with pictures
1.Wash and soak 2 cups of basmati rice in water for 20 minutes
2. In a deep pot, add 4 cups of water and the spices. Bring it to a boil, add the ghee and salt.
3. Now add the soaked basmati rice
4. Keep it on medium-high heat and let the rice cook.
5. Use a fork to stir once to make sure the rice at the bottom is not burnt
6. Serve hot with your favorite curry
