Jeera Rice | Cumin Rice (Restaurant Style)
Elevate plain steamed rice with the infusion of cumin (jeera) and an array of aromatic spices. This recipe for Jeera Rice, reminiscent of restaurant-quality fare, boasts a gentle spice profile, delightful fragrance, and exceptional flavor.
Ingredients
For Cooking Rice
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 4 cups water
- 1 tej patta (Indian bay leaf)
- 2 green cardamoms
- 1 black cardamom
- ½ inch cinnamon
- 2 cloves
- 1 to 2 single strands of mace
- 1 teaspoon salt or as required
For Tempering Jeera Rice
- 2 tablespoons oil or 1.5 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter)
- 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon green chilli – chopped, optional
- 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves (cilantro)
Instructions
Cooking Rice
- Rinse basmati rice till the water runs clear of starch. Soak the rice for 20 to 30 mins and then drain all the water. Keep aside.
- Heat 4 cups water till it comes to a boil. Add all the whole spices. Add rice and salt. Simmer the rice on a low flame uncovered.
- The rice grains should be cooked till tender and yet separate. Drain the water and keep the cooked rice aside.
- If you want you can rinse also the rice with water at room temperature. This stops the cooking of the rice and keeps the grains separate.Rinsing with water brings down the hot temperature of the rice and cools the rice grains faster.
- Ensure that the cooked rice is warm or at room temperature before you move to the next step.As mixing the tempering mixture in hot rice will cause the tender rice grains to break
Making Jeera Rice
- Heat oil in a small pan. Add cumin/jeera.
- Let them crackle. They have to be fried well otherwise you will taste uncooked cumin in the rice.
- Add the green chilies. Stir for a few seconds. No need to brown the chilies.
- Add the tempering to the hot or warm rice.
- With a fork, gently mix the tempering with the rice grains. Even if some rice grains break, its alright. Do gently taking care so as not to break the rice grains.
- Add coriander and gently mix or garnish the rice with coriander at the time of serving.
- Serve jeera rice hot or warm with a dal or vegetable/paneer curry of your choice.
Nutrition
Calories: 241kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 4gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 602mgPotassium: 91mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.1gCalcium: 38mgIron: 1mg
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