Fragrant Basmati Rice
Elevate your side dishes with this Fragrant Basmati Rice, a simple yet aromatic recipe that's bursting with warm, earthy spices. Perfectly fluffy basmati rice is infused with the rich flavors of cinnamon, cloves, green cardamom, and bay leaf, all lightly sautéed in buttery ghee for a luxurious touch. This quick and easy dish takes just 20 minutes from start to finish, making it an ideal accompaniment to curries, grilled meats, or vegetarian dishes. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a pop of color and freshness, and let each bite transport you to the heart of Indian-inspired cuisine. Whether you're preparing a weeknight dinner or an elegant spread, this lightly spiced rice is sure to impress.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1.5 cups water
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter or ghee
- 1 piece cinnamon stick
- 3 pieces whole cloves
- 3 pieces green cardamom pods
- 1 piece bay leaf
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Rinse the basmati rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps to remove excess starch and prevents the rice from clumping together while cooking.
In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter or ghee.
Add the cinnamon stick, whole cloves, green cardamom pods, and bay leaf to the saucepan. Sauté the spices for about 1 minute until they release their fragrance.
Stir in the rinsed basmati rice, ensuring that the grains are well coated with the butter and spices. Toast the rice for about 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Pour in the water and add the salt. Give the mixture a quick stir, then increase the heat to bring the water to a boil.
Once boiling, lower the heat to low and cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Allow the rice to cook for 12 minutes undisturbed.
After 12 minutes, remove the saucepan from the heat but keep the lid on. Let the rice steam in the residual heat for an additional 5 minutes.
Fluff the rice gently with a fork, removing the cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamom pods, and bay leaf if desired.
Transfer the rice to a serving dish, garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired, and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
357 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 12.4 g | 16% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.5 g | 38% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 31 mg | 10% | |
| Sodium | 1196 mg | 52% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 54.0 g | 20% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.8 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.2 g | ||
| Protein | 7.4 g | 15% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 80 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 3.5 mg | 19% | |
| Potassium | 108 mg | 2% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
