Indian Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice)

Name: Indian Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1 cup basmati rice, rinsed and soaked for 30 minutes; 2 cups water; 1 tbsp ghee (or vegetable oil for vegan); 1 tsp cumin seeds; 1 bay leaf; 1 small cinnamon stick; 2 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed; 2 whole cloves; 1/2 small onion, finely chopped; 1/2 tsp salt; 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

Fragrant basmati rice cooked with toasted cumin seeds and aromatic spices. This classic Indian side dish complements any curry perfectly and elevates a simple meal to something special.

30 minEasyServes 4190 cal/serving

IndianSideStovetopVegetarianVeganHalal-friendlyGluten-FreeNut-FreeDairy-FreeEgg-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeAlcohol-FreeNightshade-Free

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Ingredients

1 cup basmati rice, rinsed and soaked for 30 minutes
2 cups water
1 tbsp ghee (or vegetable oil for vegan)
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 bay leaf
1 small cinnamon stick
2 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
2 whole cloves
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1

Rinse 1 cup basmati rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. Then soak it in water for 30 minutes. Drain well after soaking.
2

Heat 1 tbsp ghee (or vegetable oil for vegan) in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 tsp cumin seeds and cook until they begin to splutter and become aromatic, about 30 seconds.
3

Add 1 bay leaf, 1 small cinnamon stick, 2 lightly crushed green cardamom pods, and 2 whole cloves. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
4

Add 1/2 finely chopped small onion and sauté until translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
5

Drain the soaked rice and add it to the saucepan. Stir gently to coat the rice with the spices and ghee. Sauté for 2 minutes to lightly toast the rice.
6

Add 2 cups water and 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the water has been absorbed.
7

Once cooked, turn off the heat and let the rice rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
8

Fluff the rice gently with a fork to separate the grains, being careful not to break them.
9

Remove and discard the whole spices (bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, and cloves) before serving.
10

Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro and serve hot as a side dish with your favorite curry or dal.

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Questions

What is Indian Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice)?

Fragrant basmati rice cooked with toasted cumin seeds and aromatic spices. This classic Indian side dish complements any curry perfectly and elevates a simple meal to something special. This reference files it under Indian side: made on the stovetop, rated easy and about 30 minutes start to finish.

What should Indian Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice) look like when it is ready?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 6: cook until the rice is tender and the water has been absorbed.

Do I need to rinse the grain for Indian Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice)?

Step 1 reads: "Rinse 1 cup basmati rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear." Yes. Step 1 washes off what coats the grain: surface starch on rice, which makes it clump and turn gummy, or the bitter natural coating on quinoa. Rinse until the water runs mostly clear.

Is there a substitute for ghee in Indian Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice)?

The entry for Indian Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice) calls for 1 tbsp ghee (or vegetable oil for vegan). In its place: Use unsalted butter where the heat is moderate, or a neutral oil where it is high. Clarifying butter yourself takes about ten minutes.

How many calories are in Indian Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice)?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) is about 190 calories, with 5 g protein, 38 g carbohydrate and 3 g fat, plus 1 g fiber and 200 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

Which part of Indian Jeera Rice (Cumin Rice) can be done ahead?

Everything up to step 1. Step 1 is a built-in pause of 30 minutes: "Then soak it in water for 30 minutes." Do everything up to that point ahead of time and pick up at step 2 when you are ready to finish.

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