South Indian · serves 2

Ghee Rice

Twenty-five minutes and it turns any curry into an occasion.

25 min Easy Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups basmati, soaked 20 min
  • 4 tbsp ghee
  • 2 onions, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup cashews
  • 2 tbsp raisins
  • Whole spices: 4 cardamom, 4 cloves, 1 inch cinnamon, 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds
  • 3 cups hot water

Method

  1. Fry the cashews in ghee till golden, then the raisins till they puff. Take both out.
  2. Fry half the onions till crisp and dark. Out — these go on top.
  3. Whole spices and fennel in the same ghee, then the rest of the onion till soft.
  4. Drained rice, folded gently for 2 minutes so every grain gets coated in ghee.
  5. 3 cups hot water and salt. Boil, then cover and lowest flame 12 minutes.
  6. Rest 10 minutes. Fluff, then cashews, raisins and fried onion on top.

Questions people ask about Ghee Rice

How long does Ghee Rice take?

About 25 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is straightforward. Most of that is active, so read the method through before you start rather than chopping as you go.

What can I use instead of rice in Ghee Rice?

Use any long-grain rice. Basmati needs less water than most, so check the packet before following the ratio here.

Can I make Ghee Rice ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is Ghee Rice vegetarian?

Yes, it is vegetarian. It is not vegan as written because it contains dairy; swap the dairy for a plant alternative and the rest of the method is unchanged.

What do you serve with Ghee Rice?

Steamed rice with a spoon of ghee, and a papad if you have one. It serves two as written. Double everything to feed four, but use a wider pan so the food still browns rather than steams.

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Read more on the technique

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