Swetha's Fusion

Saffron Geera Rice | Cumin Rice

Sunday, December 31, 2023

Geera Rice or Cumin Rice is commonly found in most of the Indian restaurants. It is a North Indian dish goes well with curry. It is easy to make at home as well. Here I added bit of Saffron which brings in that beautiful color, aroma and substile flavor as well. To make regular Geera rice, just omit the saffron and nuts. I just love nuts and seem to add them to most of my cooking.

For geera rice, use aromatic long grain rice like Basmati Rice. Note, the ratio for rice to water is - 1 cup Rice : 2 cup water.

You may also be interested in other rice dishes

Ingredients:

1 cup - Basmati Rice
2 cup - Water
2 tbsp. - Ghee
2 tsp - Cumin Seeds
¾ tsp - Caraway seeds (shah geera)
2 - Bay Leaf
1 inch - Cinnamon Stick
4 to 5 - Cloves
3 to 4 - strands of Saffron
¼ cup - milk
3 - Cardamom pods
1 tbsp. - Cashew Nur halves
2 tbsp. Coriander leaves - chopped - for garnish
¾ tsp - Salt or as per taste
1 - Green Chilli -slit - Optional

Method:

Wash the rice a few times until the water runs clear. Soak the washed rice. Set aside for about 20 to 30 minutes
Warm up the milk and add saffron. Set aside. - Soaking saffron in warm milk helps the dry saffron strands soften and release the color and flavor.
Put a thick bottom pan on stove. Add ghee. Set the flame to medium heat.
To the hot ghee, add Bay Leaf, Cinnamon Stick, slight crushed Cardamom pods. caraway seeds & Cumin Seeds. Allow the Cumin Seeds to splutter.
Add cashew nuts and slit green chilli. Sauté for a minute to roast the nuts.
Drain soaked rice and add to the pan. Gently, mix and roast for another minute.
Use the back of a spoon to mash the saffron strands in the milk to release more color and flavor.
Add the saffron + milk to the rice. Mix it all.
Add 2 cups of water and salt.
Let it come to rolling boil. Once you notice the water is nearly evaporated. reduce the flame to low, cover the lid and cook for 5 to 7 minutes.
Your geera rice is ready, gently fluff up the rice.
Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with curry and raita.

NOTE:

For Electric rice cooker, follow until step-8, next transfer the whole mix to the rice cooker bowl. and press 'Cook Rice' option.
For Pressure cooker, put the jigger valve for weight, cook for two whistles
For Instant pot, You may start the whole process in the Instant Pot. Select 'Sauté' option and follow step-3 through step-9. Next, secure the lid, turn the valve to sealing position. press the 'Pressure Cook' option. Cook on low for 4 minutes. Once done, let the pressure release on its own.