Jeera Rice

Jeera rice is a perfect end to an Indian meal when you do not have the patience to make a pulao or biryani. I have had it in several dhabas in India and I must say that it tastes the best in the roadside dhabas than in any plush restaurant.

Ingredients:

1. 2 cups basmati rice
2. 3 1/2 cups of water
3. 1 cup frozen peas
4. 2-3 cloves
5. 2 green cardomom pods
6. 4-5 whole black peppers
7. 2-3 bay leaves
8. 1 inch small cinnamon stick
9. Any other dry masalas that you add for pulao
10. Jeera dhania powder - 1 teaspoon
11. 3 tablespoon jeera
12. 1 teaspoon ghee
13. 1 teaspoon oil
14. 2-3 long green chillies split in the middle
15. 7-8 curry leaves
16. Salt to taste

Directions:

1. Cook the rice in water just enough so that it is cooked but does not stick together much.
2. In a pan heat the oil and ghee.
3. Add the cinnamon, bay leaves, cloves, cardamom, jeera, black pepper and other pulao spices and roast until you can smell the spices.
4. Add the green chillies and curry leaves and fry until well done.
5. Add the green peas and jeera dhania powder. Once done., add the rice and stir s that all the spices and peas are blended well with the rice. Add salt to taste and steam the rice a bit. Once done, serve with raita.