Flavoured Rice

A very simple yet flavourful rice. You can make it on the days when you want no masalas. Since there are no pungent spices this Rice goes well with a lot of accompaniments like dal fry, raita, Rajma, Choley and more. Flavoured rice and simple dal fry make for soul food. Let’s get to the recipe right away.

PREP TIME: 15Mins                             COOK TIME: 20 Mins

TOTAL TIME: 35 Mins                            COURSE:  MAIN 

CUISINE: NORTH INDIAN                     SERVINGS: 4

Ingredients: 

Basmathi rice 1 cup

Raisins( preferably black) around 10 

Cashewnuts around 6 to 8

Walnuts( broken)around  6 to 8

Almonds around 5

Cloves 5

Cinnamon 1 inch stick

Milk 1/4 cup

Saffron 2 pinches 

Ghee 2 tbsp

Onion 1 medium cut to thin slices

Directions: 

Soak the rice for 15 minutes, drain water and set aside. In a Karahi take ghee and heat. Add the dry nuts and raisins and fry until the nuts are light brown. Remove the nuts from the oil and add in the onion slices and fry until nicely browned. Remove them and set aside. Add little oil to the karahi and put in the whole masalas, fry until aromatic. Add 2 cups water and the milk along with saffron, add some salt and the dry fruits and boil. When it starts boiling transfer the soaked rice, cover and cook, keep stirring every now and then and cover and cook again until the rice is done. Takes about 15 minutes on low fire. Once done, put off the stove, add in the browned onions and mix well. Flavoured rice is ready to serve. Enjoy. Bone Appetite.

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. Assemble all ingredients. Soak the Basmathi rice for 15 minutes and drain water.

2. Heat the ghee in a karahi and add the nuts and raisins and fry. Remove when lightly browned. Add in the onion to the same ghee and fry them until they are well browned. Remove onions and set aside.

3. Add a little oil to the karahi and drop the whole masalas into it when hot. Fry until aromatic, add two cups water, the saffron soaked milk, fried nuts and salt and bring the water to a boil,

4. As it boils, transfer the soaked rice and mix well. Cover and cook for few minutes, stir in between and cover and cook again until done. Takes about 15 minutes for the rice to cook on low fire. The water should have evaporated completely.

5. Once done, put off the stove and add the browned onions, mix nicely and the flavoured rice is ready to serve. 

NOTES:

1. Other whole masalas like cardamom,  peppercorns, fennel, cumin etc have not been added on purpose, as then the Pulav taste will come in. This rice has a very subtle flavour.

2. Saffron is optional, but if added gives a good flavour to the dish.

3. Cook rice on low fire, as high heat cooking will evaporate the water fast and the rice won’t cook well and may remain raw.

4. Water to cook rice can be adjusted as per your preference, but rice must be grainy and not mushy.

5. I have numbered a few pictures to avoid confusion in steps.

If you made this recipe and liked it, please do comment below. I would love to hear from you.