Royal Rice Dish
Elevate your dining experience with the opulent flavors of the Royal Rice Dish, a fragrant symphony of basmati rice, warming spices, and luxurious add-ins. This dish combines golden caramelized onions, aromatic ginger, garlic, and whole spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves, all infused with the golden hue of turmeric and saffron-soaked milk. Toasted almonds and cashews bring a delightful crunch, while sweet bursts of raisins and dried apricots add a regal touch. Perfectly balanced and infused with rich flavors, this dish is a visual and culinary masterpiece that can be enjoyed as a standalone centerpiece or a deluxe side to complement curries and kebabs. Ready in under an hour, it’s the ultimate recipe for celebrating festive gatherings or adding a touch of grandeur to weeknight dinners.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Basmati rice
- 4 cups Water
- 3 tablespoons Ghee (or clarified butter)
- 1 large Onion, finely sliced
- 3 pieces Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon Ginger, grated
- 4 pieces Whole cardamom pods
- 1 piece Cinnamon stick
- 5 pieces Cloves
- 0.5 teaspoons Turmeric powder
- 0.25 teaspoons Saffron threads, soaked in 2 tablespoons of warm milk
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 cup Dried apricots, chopped
- 0.5 cup Raisins
- 0.5 cup Cashews, lightly toasted
- 0.5 cup Almonds, slivered and toasted
- 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in water for 20 minutes, then drain thoroughly.
In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the soaked rice and 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook for 7-8 minutes or until the rice is about 75% cooked. The grains should still have a slight bite to them. Drain the rice and set aside.
In a large, deep skillet or saucepan, heat the ghee over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and sauté until golden brown and caramelized, about 8-10 minutes.
Stir in the garlic, ginger, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, and cloves. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until aromatic.
Add the turmeric powder and the soaked saffron (along with the milk it was soaked in) to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
Gently fold in the partially cooked rice, ensuring the spices are evenly distributed. Reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid.
Cook the rice on low heat for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse and the rice to finish cooking.
Meanwhile, in a small frying pan, lightly toast the almonds and cashews until golden and aromatic.
Once the rice is cooked, fluff it gently with a fork. Stir in the dried apricots, raisins, toasted nuts, and chopped cilantro.
Serve the Royal Rice Dish warm as a standalone main dish or as an accompaniment to curries or kebabs. Garnish with extra toasted nuts or cilantro, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2219 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 104.0 g | 133% | |
| Saturated Fat | 34.6 g | 173% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 109 mg | 36% | |
| Sodium | 2041 mg | 89% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 301.3 g | 110% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 26.6 g | 95% | |
| Total Sugars | 113.6 g | ||
| Protein | 45.1 g | 90% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 528 mg | 41% | |
| Iron | 15.7 mg | 87% | |
| Potassium | 2895 mg | 62% | |
*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.
