Simple spiced rice
Rice is a staple food in many homes around the world. It is easy to cook, filling, and goes well with almost anything. Among the many rice dishes, simple spiced rice stands out. It is light, fragrant, and full of flavour, yet not too rich or heavy. This makes it a perfect companion for non-vegetarian gravies like chicken curry, mutton roast, or fish stew.
Why Choose Simple Spiced Rice?
This rice recipe uses everyday ingredients and whole spices to add a subtle aroma and taste. It is not too spicy or overpowering. That is why it pairs beautifully with rich and flavourful meat gravies. The rice absorbs the flavours of the curry without clashing with it. It also adds a touch of freshness with herbs like mint and coriander.
Simple spiced rice is cooked with ghee or oil and a mix of whole spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. These spices give the rice a lovely aroma. But the amount used is small, so the rice doesn’t become too strong. A little ginger-garlic paste and sliced onions are added for depth. Chopped tomatoes, mint, and coriander bring freshness and balance.
Perfect with Non-Veg Gravies
Non-vegetarian gravies are often rich, spicy, and full of complex flavours. Simple rice helps balance these flavours. Whether you are serving chicken curry, mutton korma, egg masala, or fish curry, this rice acts like a soft and mildly spiced base. It soaks up the curry and brings everything together in each bite.
This rice is also very quick to make. It needs only a few basic steps — sautéing the spices and vegetables, adding soaked basmati rice, and cooking it with the right amount of water. It takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. This makes it ideal for a weekday meal or even a special lunch with guests.
Great for Meal Planning
Simple spiced rice can also be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge. You can pack it for lunch or reheat it later to enjoy with your favourite curry. It is a great recipe to include in your weekly meal plan. It also works well as a base for biryanis or pulaos if you want to add protein later.
Simple spiced rice is more than just plain rice. It is full of light flavours, easy to make, and very satisfying. Most importantly, it is versatile and pairs wonderfully with any non-vegetarian gravy. Whether you are cooking a quick chicken curry or a slow-cooked lamb dish, this rice will always be a good match. Let this simple recipe be your go-to for those delicious curry meals.
Love more seasoned rice recipes? Our saffron and pistachio rice brings rich flavour, vibrant colour, and a touch of elegance to your table.
Simple spiced rice
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp ghee/oil
- 1 tsp shajeera caraway seeds
- Whole spices 1 cardamon, 1 inch size cinnamon, 2 cloves, 1 star anise, 1 bayleaf, 1 mace(javitri)
- 2 green chillies adjust to your spiciness
- 1 Onion thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tomato chopped
- A handful of coriander leaves chopped
- ¼ cup of mint leaves chopped
- 1 cup Basmati rice rinsed and soaked for 20 minutes
- 11/2 cups of Water
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Wash and soak the rice for 20 minutes.
- In a deep pan or pot, heat 2 tbsp of ghee or oil on medium heat.
- Add shajeera, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, bay leaf and mace. Sauté for 30 seconds until aromatic.
- Add green chillies and sliced onions. Cook until onions turn golden brown.
- Stir in the ginger-garlic paste. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the raw smell disappears.
- Add chopped tomato, coriander leaves, and mint leaves. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the tomatoes soften.
- Drain the soaked rice and add it to the pan. Gently stir for a minute to coat the rice with the spices and herbs.
- Pour in 1½ cups of boiling water. Add salt to taste. Add a teaspoon of ghee and mix.
- Then cover with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for 12-15 minutes or until rice is cooked and water is absorbed.
- Turn off the heat and let the rice sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff gently with a fork.
- Serve hot with raita, plain yoghurt, or any curry of your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use regular rice like sona masoori or jasmine rice. Just adjust the water ratio accordingly—regular rice may need slightly less water and shorter cooking time.
Soaking Basmati rice for 20–30 minutes helps it cook evenly and results in longer, fluffier grains. If you’re short on time, you can skip soaking, but you may need to add a bit more water and cook slightly longer.
Yes, but the flavour will be milder. You can substitute with a small pinch of garam masala or biryani masala to enhance the aroma.
It’s mildly spiced from the green chillies. You can reduce the number of chillies or remove the seeds to make it less spicy, or skip them altogether for a very mild version.
Absolutely! You can add chopped carrots, peas, beans, paneer, tofu, or even cooked chicken for a one-pot meal. Sauté them along with the onions or after the tomatoes, based on how long they take to cook.
Store cooled rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of water to bring back moisture.
Share Your Creations and Connect with Me on Social Media!
Have you tried this recipe? Don’t forget to tag me with your pictures on Instagram – I love to see your creations! 💕 Also, be sure to comment and rate below! Follow me on social media:
1 thought on “Simple spiced rice”