Jeera rice (Cumin Rice)

Written By Praveena Gudipati on Monday, February 23, 2015 | 9:06 PM

Jeera rice/ cumin rice is simply a cumin flavored buttery rice that is served as main course along with a gravy curry. To make Jeera rice, cooked basmati rice is seasoned with cumin seeds and the flavors are further enhanced by adding cumin powder, my twist to the recipe.
It's a very simple and quick recipe, using few ingredients. When I want to make something special for weekend but don't want to spend too much time, this is what I would choose.I made jeera rice for our weekend lunch. I served it with Dal Makhani, a lentil dish cooked with butter n cream.

Cumin seeds have a major place in Indian cooking and are also used in other cuisines too. They are used in almost every vegetable preparation and no seasoning is done without using it. Cumin seeds are used as whole seed and also as powder. Cumin seeds are known to help with indigestion problem. When my tot suffers from indigestion I boil cumin seeds in water and give that water to him. Works like magic. So the Jeera rice is not only a delicious recipe but also a healthy one.

Jeera rice goes well with Bagara baingan, my sprouted Kala Chana masala, Dal Makhani or any of the gravy curries. You can add more or less cumin powder to the rice, based on your taste. It gives flavor and color to the rice. Adjust butter according to your preference. You can also add finely chopped coriander, pinch of garam masala optionally.

Servings:
Two (2)
Total time:
45 minutes
Category:
Main Course
Author:
Praveena Gudipati

Ingredients: (I use US standard measuring; 1cup=8oz=250ml)
2 cups Basmati rice
3 tablespoon Cumin Seeds (Jeera)
2 tablespoon Cumin seeds to make Cumin powder
4 Green chillies
1/2 onion
Salt to taste
3 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon oil
3 cups water
1/4 teaspoon garam masala ( optional)

Jeera rice (Cumin Rice) step-by-step Recipe

Soak Basmati Rice for 30 minutes which enhances the grain size when cooked.
Cook Basmati rice in a rice cooker with 1 tablespoon butter, salt to taste and 2 bay leaves.Use 3 cups water to cook rice. You can also cook rice outside in a vessel. Cooking with butter keeps grains separated and flavors rice.
You can also add pinch of garam masala optionally. I did not use it.
While rice is cooking, chop onions finely lengthwise
Slit green chillies into half.
Toast 2 tablespoon cumin seeds with out oil and make a fine powder. I used a mortar and pestle. You can also use coffee grinder.
Heat butter and oil in a pan. Add 2.5 tbsp cumin seeds. When the seeds splutter add chopped green chilies and onions.
Sautéed onions till they turn s lightly brown.
Add cumin powder.
Now Add cooked rice and toss gently to mix everything.
Cook for few minutes so everything comes together.
Turn off the stove and take it in a serving bowl.
Serve with any gravy curry of your choice.