Learn How to make ghee rice for your kids.
Whenever I hear the words "ghee rice," I imagine myself sitting on a cloud, eyes closed and digging into a bowl of rich goodness.
Also known as nei choru in the southern state of Kerala, ghee rice is fragrant, easy to make and a sure treat for your taste buds.
This rice preparation is usually served with a spicy gravy dish like chicken curry or vegetable korma.
Ghee rice also makes a great lunchbox dish. Since it's relatively easy to prepare, it can be whipped up quickly when mums are pressed for time to beat the early morning rush.
How to make ghee rice?
This delicacy is usually subtly spiced and laced with dry fruits. You can alter the recipe as per your child's liking. Read our take on how to make ghee rice.
Preparation time: 5 min
Cooking time: 25 min
Ingredients:
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 1 pc small cinnamon stick
- 1 pc cardamon
- 2 pcs cloves
- 1 pc bay leaf
- 1 pc star anise, optional
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 5-6 pcs split cashews
- 8-9 pcs raisins
- 1/2 tsp ginger garlic paste, optional
- 1 tsp coriander leaves, finely chopped
- Salt to taste
Steps
- Wash basmati rice with water a couple of times and soak it for 10-15 minutes.
- Heat 1/2 tbsp of ghee in a thick pan and add split cashews. Fry until golden and keep aside.
- In the same pan, add another 1/2 tbsp of ghee and fry raisins. Keep aside.
- Add the rest of the ghee to the same pan and add all the spices. Mix in chopped onion and ginger garlic paste and fry until the onions turn brown.
- Drain the water from the rice and add this to the onion-spice mixture. Keep mixing for a few minutes.
- Add salt and two cups of boiling water and cover the pan with a lid.
- Keep stirring the rice at intervals to ensure there is enough water to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Once the rice is cooked, turn off the flame and fluff out the rice gently with a fork.
- Alternatively, you can cook the dish in a pressure cooker.
- Garnish with fried dry fruits and chopped coriander. If you're feeling sinful, add another dollop of ghee!
Tips
- Take out the spices once their flavours have been infused into the ghee. This way, the kids won't get the strong taste of the whole spices in their mouths.
- The combination of ghee rice with a boiled egg is a great hit with kids!
- Add a few chopped carrots, peas and a few mint leaves for a different flavour.
- This dish tastes the best and is healthier when made with homemade ghee.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: PREETI ATHRI
If you have any delicious variations or more suggestions on how to make ghee rice, please share them in our Comment box below.
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