Ghee Rice Recipe (South Indian Style)
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 2
Cuisine: South Indian
Course: Lunch
Diet: Gluten-Free
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Basmati rice | 1 cup (soaked in water for 20 minutes) |
| Onion | 1, finely sliced |
| Green chilies | 2, slit |
| Ginger-garlic paste | 1 tablespoon |
| Ghee | 1 tablespoon |
| Fennel seeds | 1 teaspoon |
| Bay leaf | 1 |
| Star anise | 1 |
| Cloves | 3 |
| Green cardamom | 2, crushed |
| Salt | to taste |
| Cashews | 4, broken |
| Raisins | 2 |
| Apricot (or dried apricots) | 1, chopped |
| Water | 1 ¼ cups (or as needed) |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Rice:
Begin by soaking the rice in water for about 20 minutes. Drain the water before cooking. -
-
Fry the Nuts and Dried Fruits:
Heat ghee in a pressure cooker or a heavy-bottomed pan. Add the raisins, chopped apricot, and cashews. Fry them for about 30 seconds until they begin to turn golden. Remove them from the pan and set them aside. -
Cook the Onions:
In the same pan, add the sliced onions and sauté them until they become brown and caramelized. Once done, remove half of the caramelized onions and set them aside. Continue to cook the remaining onions until they are lightly browned. Set these aside as well. -
Spices:
Add a tablespoon of ghee into the pan. Then add fennel seeds, star anise, crushed cardamom, cloves, and a bay leaf. Sauté the spices for about 15 seconds until aromatic. -
Green Chilies and Ginger-Garlic Paste:
Add the slit green chilies to the pan and cook for about 1 minute. Then, add the ginger-garlic paste and sauté for another 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend and the paste to cook thoroughly. -
Add Rice:
Add the drained rice into the pan and gently stir to coat the rice with the ghee and spices. Allow it to cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. -
Add Water and Cook:
Now, pour in 1 ¼ cups of water (or as needed, depending on your rice variety). Add salt to taste and a little more ghee. Stir everything together and cover the pan. Let it cook on a low flame for about 15–20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and fully cooked. If using a pressure cooker, cook for 1 whistle. -
Garnish and Serve:
Once the rice is cooked, turn off the heat. Fluff the rice gently with a fork and stir in the fried raisins, apricot, cashews, and caramelized onions. -
Serving Suggestion:
Serve the fragrant ghee rice hot, paired with vegetable kurma (a spiced vegetable curry) and South Indian papads for a delightful lunch or dinner. This dish is an aromatic, rich, and flavorful choice, perfect for any special occasion or a comforting meal.
Enjoy this traditional South Indian Ghee Rice with its rich blend of spices, nuts, and dried fruits, offering an indulgent yet simple culinary experience. Its versatility makes it a perfect complement to various curries and side dishes.
