JEERA RICE

JEERA RICE - A SIMPLE AND AROMATIC RICE FLAVOURED WITH CUMIN AND WHOLE SPICES
By : Deepa Sujesh
INGREDIENTS :-

1.5 cups basmati rice
2 tsp cumin/jeera
1 inch cinnamon
1 black cardamom
2 green cardamom
1 bay leaf
2-3 cloves
5-6 black peppercorns
1 or 2 threads of mace
2-3 petals of star anise
3 cups water
2 tbsp oil or ghee
some coriander leaves and mint leavesfor garnishing (optional)
salt as required

METHOD :-

soak the basmati rice in water for 30 minutes.drain the rice and keep aside.
heat a pan.add oil or ghee.on a low or medium flame when the oil becomes hot, add the cumin and all the whole spices mentioned above.
let the cumin get browned and the oil fragrant from the spices.add the soaked rice.stir and saute for 1-2 minutes.add salt and water.cover and cook the rice is cooked.
the rice should get cooked but not mushy or pasty.keep checking in between the rice is cooking.when the jeera rice is done, fluff the rice and serve jeera rice hot.
garnish it.