Ghee Rice

Clarified butter or ghee rice is a very popular one pot rice dish. Rice grains roasted in ghee along with whole spices, cashew and raisins gives it a very unique taste. In coastal Karnataka it's usually served with spicy meat curries like chicken ghee roast, mutton korma or any other chicken curry. It also goes well with potato or any veg curry.

Ingredients:

Long grained rice: 2 cups

Ghee (clarified butter): 1/2 cup

Onion: 1 medium

Green chilli:1 (optional)

Green Cardamom: 3-4

Cloves : 3

Cinnamon : 1 inch sticks 2

Cashews : 10-12

Raisins : 2 tbsp

Lemon juice : 1/2 lemon

Salt to taste

Water: 4 cups

Method:

1. Wash and soak the rice in enough water for 30 mins. Drain water and keep aside until needed.

2. Slice onion and slit green chilli and keep aside.

3. In a nonstick pan heat ghee and fry cashew and raisins for 30 seconds.

4. Add cardamoms, cinnamon and clove and sauté until the ghee becomes aromatic.

5. Add sliced onion and green chilli and sauté until the onions turn golden brown.

6. Add soaked rice and fry until all the rice grains are covered with ghee and get roasted, it takes about 2-3 mins.

7. Add 4 cups of hot water, salt and lemon juice and mix well. Lemon juice helps to keep the grains separate.

8. Cover with lid and cook until the rice is done.

9. Serve hot with spicy curry of your choice.

Notes:

1. You can cook it directly in pressure cooker, in that case add 3.5 cups water and turn off after 2 whistles.