Tasty

Jeera Rice

Jeera rice is a beloved dish often found in Indian restaurants, with many diners choosing it over plain basmati rice to complement their dals or curries. The infusion of cumin and aromatic whole spices elevates this simple rice dish to an entirely new experience.

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)

Cooking Process

Cooking Rice

  • Lakshmi Bhog 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.