Jeera Rice / Cumin Seeds Flavored Indian Rice Recipe

Jeera rice is a flavourful and delicious Indian rice dish . It is mildly spiced with whole spices and has dominant flavours and aroma of Cumin seeds (Jeera). It is the simplest and easiest of all the flavored rice and can be served with almost all the north Indian gravy and dal dishes.

Jeera rice is my son's favorite so whenever i have to feed him with some dal or gravy which he doesnt like much, i pair it with Jeera rice and my job is done ! Jeera rice also goes well with Raita and  Mango Pickle.

Jeera Rice can be made either in a pan or using pressure cooker. When i am in a hurry i prefer pressure cooker. If using pressure cooker , reduce the quantity of water by 1/2 cup. Again there are two ways of making Jeera rice, you can cook the rice first normally and then temper it with Cumin and whole spices and the other method is to temper the cumin and whole spices first in ghee and then saute the soaked rice in it and then cook. The second method gives more flavorful rice as the flavors of spices infuse well into the rice while it is been cooked with them. I also add caramelized sliced Onion in this recipe which makes it all the more delicious.

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Basmati Rice
• 2 Cups Water
• 2 tsp Jeera / Cumin Seeds
• 1 tbsp Ghee
• 2 Bay leaf
• 1 Star Anise
• 1 medium Onion sliced (Optional)
• 1 small piece of Cinnamon Stick
• 2-3 Cloves
• 2 Green Cardamom 
• 2 Black Pepper Corn
• Fresh Coriander leaves finely chopped for garnishing (optional)
• Salt to taste

Method:

1. Wash the Basmati rice , drain and keep aside for at least 20 minutes. In a pan heat the ghee on a medium flame and add the Cumin and whole spices in it. Fry them until aromatic.

  2.   Add the sliced Onions , if using and saute them until translucent. 

  3.  Now to this add the soaked rice and saute well for 1-2 minutes. Add warm water followed by salt and mix well. Once the water start boiling lower the flame and cover the pan.

   4.  Allow the rice to cook completely on low flame. Open the lid in between and check once . Once the rice is completely cooked, put off the flame.  Fluff the rice with a fork and remove in a serving vessel . Garnish with finely chopped fresh Coriander leaves and keep covered until serving time. 

  5.  Serve hot with any dal or gravy dish of your choice and enjoy !

  Jeera Rice can be served with

• Dal Makhani
• Palak Paneer
• Kashmiri Dum Aloo
• Paneer Makhanwala
• Pindi Chole
• Spicy Drumstick Masala
• Bharwa Bhindi

For more Rice recipes do check my posts on 

• Pineapple Fried Rice
• Soybean Chunk Fried Rice
• Vegetarian Nasi Lemak
• Sweet Coconut Rice / Narali Bhaat
• Curd Rice