Fragrant East Indian Basmati Rice
Transform your kitchen into a fragrant oasis with this delicious East Indian Basmati Rice recipe! Infused with the warm, aromatic spices of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and cumin, this dish takes simple basmati rice to a whole new level. The natural nuttiness of basmati is perfectly complemented by the rich flavor of ghee and a subtle hint of bay leaf, making it a perfect side for curries, dals, or grilled tandoori dishes. With just a 10-minute prep time and a quick 15-minute cooking time, this recipe delivers fluffy, fragrant rice that's easy enough for a weeknight meal yet impressive enough for guests. Garnished with fresh cilantro for a pop of color, this spice-infused rice is a must-try addition to your Indian cuisine repertoire.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Basmati rice
- 1.5 cups Water
- 1 tablespoon Ghee or unsalted butter
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1 Cinnamon stick
- 3 Green cardamom pods
- 3 Cloves
- 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Rinse the basmati rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch and ensures fluffy rice. Soak the rinsed rice in fresh water for 20 minutes, then drain and set aside.
Heat the ghee or unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Add the bay leaf, cinnamon stick, green cardamom pods, cloves, and cumin seeds to the pan. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the spices release their aroma.
Stir in the drained basmati rice and cook for 1-2 minutes, gently coating the rice with the ghee and spices.
Add 1.5 cups of water and salt to the pan. Stir gently to combine, and bring the mixture to a boil.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, and let the rice simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the water is fully absorbed and the rice is tender.
Turn off the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for 5 minutes to steam. This allows the flavors to meld and the grains to separate further.
Fluff the rice gently with a fork, removing the whole spices (bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, and cloves) as you come across them.
Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired, and serve warm as a side dish to your favorite Indian curries, dals, or tandoori dishes.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
451 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 16.8 g | 22% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.6 g | 48% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 34 mg | 11% | |
| Sodium | 1011 mg | 44% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 71.9 g | 26% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.6 g | 24% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.5 g | ||
| Protein | 7.3 g | 15% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 220 mg | 17% | |
| Iron | 5.3 mg | 29% | |
| Potassium | 303 mg | 6% | |
*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.
