Cumin Rice
If you’re tired of eating boring rice, then why not add some spice to your rice! We all need a little spice in our lives right! This Cumin Rice or Jeera Rice as we call it makes a delicious accompaniement to Indian curries.
I love cumin so this is definitely my go to rice dish when I feel like something different.
Cumin Rice
I feel like I haven’t posted a recipe in a while. There are loads of recipes that I still have to post and I get requests for all sorts of recipes everyday.
If I haven’t posted a recipe you’ve requested yet, please bare with me, I promise to get to them all soon. There are times when I wish I could dedicate more hours of my day to my blog.
It’s what I simply love and it is my absolute passion project. I have also been trying to empower women in a small way. I see so many women struggling with issues that I myself have experienced and I know I can give some a little hope.
I am going to share all my blabbering and words of wisdom under a seperate section of my blog. That catergory is called Life.
Just so those that don’t want to listen to me, and come here just for the recipes, are not forced to read what they don’t want to. Life is all about freedom of choice after all.
How to Make Cumin Rice
Cumin Rice is a fragrant rice made with butter ghee, wholes spices and cumin seeds. The spices are tempered in ghee. Tempered means to heat your spices in hot oil to release their flavours.
This Cumin Rice is a popular North Indian/Pakistan dish.
Which Rice is best to use?
Like most Indian dishes that uses rice it is usually recommended that you use Basmati Rice. I prefer a long grain Basmati rice, the grains remain loose and you don’t get mushy rice.
My favourite rice is the Maharani brand and I have been using only that for many years. Another brand of rice that I was quite impressed with was the Golden Delight Basmati rice.
However, you can use normal long grain rice. It will work too, however the method will be different. If I am using a normal rice I prefer to cook my rice with extra water, drain it and then add my spices to it.
With Basmati Rice you add just enough water, usually a 1:2 ratio. For every once cup of rice it is 2 cups of water.
I hope you enjoy this Cumin Rice as much as we do. I always love hearing from you so please drop a comment and a star rating if you do try the recipe.
More Rice Recipes to try:
First Published September 29, 2020 Updated August 15, 2023
Cumin Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice
- 2 cups water
- 3 teaspoon butter ghee
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 bay leaf
- 3 elachie pods
- 4 cloves
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 small onion
- 2 dry chillies
- 2 sprig curry leaf
Instructions
- Wash the rice a few times to get rid of the excess starch. Drain excess water and set aside
- Heat 2 teaspoon butter ghee in a pot and add the cumin seeds. Once the cumin seeds start to burst add the cinnamon stick, bay leaf and cardamom/elachie pods, cloves and fry until fragrant. Do not fry for too long as the cumin seeds will burn
- Add the rice to the pot and fry for a minute
- Add 2 cups of water to the rice. Season with salt. Bring to the boil and immediately reduce the heat to the lowest setting and allow the rice to simmer until cooked. It should take about 20-30 minutes to cook depending on the rice you're using
- Fry the onion, dry chillies and curry leaf in 1 teaspoon butter ghee and once onion is brown add it to the cooked rice
- Use a fork to fluff up the rice. Serve with your favourite Indian curries
Notes
- If you are living at low altitude you may need less water as your rice may cook much sooner than 30 minutes. I suggest adding a little less water and add more if required
- If you don't have ghee feel free to use butter
- If you are using normal rice I suggest you cook the rice seperately, drain the water and then steam it with the spices for a few minutes. The rice could become mushy quite quickly if you are not careful
Hi Lorraine
I have not chatted since 2020 ,but I promise you I have been only using your recipes and became such a good cook and baker that everyone compliments me,I need to go to all the recipes I have made and rate them 5 stars or even more.You have inspired me and have made such a huge difference in my life.I am so confident just to cook up a meal for visitors or for anyone now.This cumin rice is divine.Thank You,looking forward to more recipes in 2024 and all the best to you and you family for 2024
Hello Kristina! It’s so good to hear from you. I remember the last time we chatted you lost your dad. I hope you are doing better. I am so happy you are still enjoying the recipes and yes will keep sharing more. Lots of love xx