ZEERA (CUMIN) RICE

ZEERA (CUMIN) RICE

This is rice flavoured with cumin seeds and if desired with a few other spices. It is very easy to prepare this rice and all you have to be careful about is the amount of water you use to prepare it. This rice goes will with Chicken Curry or even grilled chicken with a chutney of your choice and some salad.

INGREDIENTS

4 Cups Good Quality Basmati Rice

A Few Black Peppercorn

A Few Cloves

A Few Cinnamon Sticks

1 Heaped Tbsp Cumin Seeds

2 Medium Onions - Finely Sliced

1/2 Cup Oil

10 Cups Water

2 tsps Salt - or to taste

METHOD

Rinse the rice well and leave it to soak in water for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile place a deep heavy based pan on heat.

Tip in the whole spices

Add the onions. Keep stirring on and off, on moderate heat.

NOTE: If you are not using whole spices, then add the onions to oil and then follow the rest of the procedure below.

Once the onions turn golden brown, tip in the cumin seeds. Stir for about 30 seconds

Add water, cover and let boil for at least 8 minutes or until the onions are translucent

This is how it will appear after boiling. 

Drain the rice from the water it has been soaking in and add to the pan. 

Add salt. Keep stirring (but gently to avoid the rice grains from breaking) frequently until you see that the water has dried up.

By the time water dries up, the rice will not have been fully cooked but that is how it is supposed to be. Cover and lower heat to extremely low. Let it steam for 10 minutes. Take pan off the heat and serve.

SERVING SUGGESTION - SERVE WITH CHICKEN CURRY OR GRILLED CHICKEN WITH CHUTNEY