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Close up image of cumin rice with spices and chili.

Jeera Rice

Emily
Fluffy, soft, and simple jeera rice. An easy one pot dish packed full of flavor. Great for an easy weeknight dinner or lunch.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Rest and Soaking Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
ESTIMATED COST : $3.15, or $0.79 a serve
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4 serves
Calories 311 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons (35 grams, 1.25 ounces) butter or ghee
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 green cardamom pods
  • 1 to 2 inch (2.54 cm to 5.08 cm) cinnamon stick
  • 3 cloves
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 ½ teaspoons cumin seeds (jeera)
  • 1 green or red chili slit and deseeded, chopped fine, optional
  • 1 cup (200 grams, 7.05 ounces) basmati rice
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • ¾ teaspoon salt or to taste

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, rinse and then soak the rice in water for at least 20 minutes. Completely drain the rice after soaking. Set aside.
  • In a medium sized pot, heat the butter over low to medium heat. Saute the bay leaf, cardamoms, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Add the cumin seeds, and chili until they begin to sizzle. This may take 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Place soaked and drained rice in the pot and fry for 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Add water and salt. Stir until combined. Taste for salt, if you find it lacking, you can add more now.
  • Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once boiled, reduce the temperature to low and cover. Cook simmering for 25 minutes.
  • Turn off heat and rest rice covered for 10 minutes.
  • Fluff the rice with a fork or spoon. Remove spices. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves or parsley if desired and serve.

Notes

  • It is important to soak your rice. This will make your cooked rice fluffy and soft. If you don’t soak your rice, you could end up with gritty and hard rice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serveCalories: 311kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 5gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 570mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 10gSugar: 1g
Nutrition Disclosure
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