How to prepare Ghee rice?
Ghee rice is a popular and flavorful South Indian rice made with jeerakasala or basmati rice, ghee(clarified butter) and flavoured with various spices.
Ingredients
1 cup = 250ml
- 1 cup jeerakasala rice
- 2 cups hot water
- 2 tbsp ghee
- ½ onion thinly sliced
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 cloves
- 2 cardamom pods
- 1 inch size cinnamon stick
- 1 star anise
- ½ tsp fennel
- Salt
- Cashews and raisins optional, for garnish
- Coriander leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Rinse the jeerakasala rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in water for about 10 minutes and then drain.
- In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat ghee over medium heat.
- Add fennel seeds, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, cloves, star anise and bay leaf. Sauté for a minute until the spices release their aroma.
- Add sliced onions and sauté until they become translucent.
- Add the soaked and drained rice to the pan and sauté for 2-3 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the flavours of the spices and the ghee.
- Pour in the hot water and add salt. Cover the pan with a lid, and cook on medium flame until the water is absorbed.
- Once the water is absorbed, stir once reduce the flame to low and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Switch off the flame and add a teaspoon of ghee, cover and let this stand for 5 mins before serving.
- Fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains and garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
- Serve the ghee rice hot with your favourite curry or side dish.
Notes
The amount of water may vary depending on the rice used. If you are using basmati rice, don´t forget to adjust the water according to the packet instructions.
You can also grate some carrots and add them along with the onions.
You can optionally fry some cashews and raisins in ghee until they turn golden brown, and then add them to the cooked rice for added flavour and texture.