Ghee Rice Recipe

Method11 steps · about 1 hr 10 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Rinse the one cup dry rice at least three times in separate rinse water. Soak 20–30 minutes in fresh soak water, then drain completely. Slice the optional onion (1) and slit the chili. Choose one route: traditional stove 2–7 then 8, or skip 2–7 and follow the full Instant Pot alternative in 8.

   Uses 1 cup basmati rice · 1 onion · 1 green chili · ample rice rinse and 20–30 min soak water; discard

2. 2

   Step 2: Traditional route only: heat 1½ tbsp of the total 2 tbsp ghee. Fry the fourteen cashews (14) until lightly golden; add fourteen raisins (14) and remove both when raisins plump. Reserve for 10 and keep the ghee in the pan.

   Uses 1½ tbsp from total 2 tbsp ghee · 14 cashews · 14 raisins

   
3. 3

   Step 3: If using onion (1), fry its prepared slices in the same pan until golden and nearly caramelized, without burning. Remove and reserve for garnish.

   Uses 1 onion · same traditional 1½ tbsp ghee after nuts/raisins removed

4. 4

   Step 4: Traditional route only: add the remaining ½ tbsp ghee to the existing pan fat. Add all listed whole spices and fry about 1 minute until aromatic.

   Uses remaining ½ tbsp ghee · 2 inch cinnamon stick · 4 whole cloves · 3–4 green cardamom pods · 1 strand mace · 1 star anise · 1 bay leaf · same ghee after optional onions removed

5. 5

   Step 5: Traditional route only: add the same prepared chili and drained soaked rice from 1. Fry over medium heat 3–4 minutes, stirring to prevent burning.

   Uses same ghee plus final ½ tbsp, whole spices fried one minute · same one cup dry rice drained, chili prepared 1

6. 6

   Step 6: Traditional route only: pour 1¾ cups cooking water for the Indian cooker OR 2 cups for an ordinary pot. Add the initial ½ tsp salt. Adjust water only according to your rice’s usual plain-rice ratio.

   Uses ONLY selected route: 1¾ cups Indian cooker OR 2 cups ordinary pot · 0.5 tsp salt · same rice/spices/chili fried 3–4 min

7. 7

   Step 7: Taste the same cooking water; use separately listed extra salt only if needed so it is slightly salty.

   Uses salt (extra only to taste in cooking water) · one chosen stove water ratio and initial salt

8. 8

   Step 8: Choose one route. For the INDIAN PRESSURE COOKER, cook the rice assembled at 7 over medium heat to one whistle, then let pressure release naturally. For the ORDINARY POT, bring the same assembled rice to a boil, reduce to very low heat and cook covered until fully tender, not mushy; turn off and rest covered 10–15 minutes. For INSTANT POT, skip traditional 2–7: use Sauté to melt the total 2 tbsp ghee, fry cashews (14) then raisins (14) and reserve. Fry optional onion (1) slices until golden, reducing Sauté heat if needed; drain and reserve. Add whole spices, prepared chili and drained soaked rice from 1; sauté 30–60 seconds, Cancel. Add only 1¼ cups water and initial ½ tsp salt; scrape/deglaze the base and taste, using extra salt if needed. Seal and pressure-cook HIGH 5 minutes. Let pressure release naturally 2–3 minutes, or up to 5 for softer rice, then release remaining pressure according to cooker instructions.

   Instant Pot pressure phase only · 5 minUses Instant Pot ONLY total 2 tbsp ghee if traditional 2–7 skipped · 1 onion · 1 green chili · 0.5 tsp salt · 14 cashews · 14 raisins · 2 inch cinnamon stick · 4 whole cloves

9. 9

   Step 9: After the selected route has finished and all pressure is released where applicable, open safely and fluff gently. Let the rice cool slightly before garnishing.

   Uses one route finished; pressure safely released or ordinary pot rested

10. 10

    Step 10: Transfer the cooked rice and garnish with the same nuts, raisins and optional fried onion reserved in your chosen route. Add optional coriander leaves; do not add a fresh ghee or nut supply.

    Uses coriander leaves (optional final garnish) · same one selected cooking route · ONLY traditional: same 14 nuts/14 raisins fried earlier · ONLY traditional: same optional onion fried earlier · ONLY IP: garnish fried and set aside in that branch

11. 11

    Step 11: Serve ghee rice with any gravy like kurma, curry or even with egg roast. You can also eat it plain.

    Uses same rice/nuts/raisins/onion/coriander