Jeera rice

• 1½ cups basmati rice (1 CUP = 240ML )
• 2 tbsp ghee or oil or butter
• 1 Medium sized onion slit vertically.
• 1 green chili slit and deseeded (optional)
• 2½ cups water for pressure cooker or (2 cups for instant pot) or (3 cups for regular pot)

SPICES:

• 2 tsps Jeera or cumin
• 1 bay leaf or tej patta
• 4 green cardamoms or elaichi
• 2 inch cinnamon piece or dalchini
• 4 cloves or laung
• 1 strand mace or javitri (optional)
• Salt as needed

• Wash rice a few times until water runs clear.
• Then soak it in lot of water for at least 20 to 30 mins. Drain it completely.

Second Part

• Heat ghee or oil in a pressure cooker or a pot.
• Saute bay leaf, cloves, cinnamon, cardamoms and mace until they begin to sizzle.
• Fry jeera on a low flame until a nice aroma comes out. Add green chilli and onions. Saute until onions become golden.
• Transfer drained rice to the cooker and roast for 2 to 3 mins.
• This helps to bring out the aroma of the rice.
• Pour water and add salt. Stir well and taste the water.
• It must be slightly salty. Bring water to a boil on a high flame.
• Making Jeera rice in pot – Cover and cook on a low to medium heat until water is absorbed & rice is done.
• Making Jeera rice in pressure cooker – Cover the pressure cooker with a lid. Cook on a high heat for 1 whistle. For al dente rice, I release the pressure carefully after 2 mins with the help of a wooden spatula.
• When the pressure goes off.
• Open the lid and fluff up jeera rice with a fork. Serve with any curry.

Making jeera rice in Instant pot

• Press saute button and heat ghee in the inner pot of instant pot.
• Add all the spices & saute for 2 mins until they turn fragrant.
• Add the drained rice and chilli. Saute for 2 to 3 mins.
• Pour 2 cups water and add salt. Stir and taste the water. If needed add more salt.
• Secure the lid & set the steam release value to sealing.
• Pressure cook on high pressure for 5 mins.
• Allow the pressure to release naturally for 8 to 9 mins.
• Then use a kitchen towel & remove the rest of the pressure manually.
• Fluff up the Jeera rice & add some coriander leaves.