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Jeera Chawal (Jeera Rice)

Cumin basmati rice

जीरा चावल

jeera = cumin, chawal = rice

Jeera Chawal (Jeera Rice)
Active
~30 min
Yield
Plan ahead
soak the rice 20–30 min
Pairs with
, , , any gravy. The plain partner to a saucy main.
Start Cook Mode

Ingredients

  • 1 cup
  • 1½–2 cups water
  • 1 tbsp
  • 1 tsp
  • 1 (optional — recommended)
  • 2 (optional — recommended)
  • 1 (optional — recommended)
  • small piece (optional — recommended)
  • salt
  • fresh , to garnish

Steps

  1. 1.Rinse and soak the rice as in .
  2. 2.Heat the ghee; the cumin, bay leaf, cloves, cardamom and cinnamon a few seconds.
  3. 3.Add the drained rice; toss gently 1 min.
  4. 4.Add water and salt; .
  5. 5.Fluff with a fork, garnish with coriander.

Variations

Peas pulao: add ½ cup peas with the rice.
Plain basmati: skip the cumin and spices.

This is plain rice given a job. The whole flavour comes from cumin sizzled in ghee before the rice goes in. Basmati is prized for its long, separate grains and popcorn-like aroma, grown at the foot of the Himalayas — using it plain like this is the point, so each grain stays distinct.