Whenever I don’t have any leftover dal, sambar or any other dish to carry over for my next meal, the big question is what to put on the dining table? On such days, a quick fried rice saves my day! Jeera rice/cumin flavored rice is a quintessential rice dish loved by all! Normally, it is served with just some yogurt on the side or any side dish curry like chole, rajma, mushroom tikka masala, paneer masala etc. But I love to add vegetables to it and serve it with a simple yogurt-based raita.
HOW TO MAKE JEERA/CUMIN RICE:
Rice flavored with exotic spices like cloves, cinnamon, bay leaf, cardamom and lots of jeera/cumin seeds elevates a simple white rice to an exotic and delicious flavored jeera rice! Add some onions and garlic for depth and flavor.
HOW TO TRANSFORM A SIMPLE JEERA RICE INTO A WHOLE NUTRITIOUS MEAL:
My favorite is to stir in some crisp vegetables to add nutrition, crunch and flavor! Normally, I would cook the vegetables along with the rice. I do this on a stove top, pressure cooker or instant pot. But sometimes, sauteing some crisp vegetables in a separate pan lightly for just a few minutes retains its original flavor and crispy fresh bite without losing too much nutrition. Just saute or fry your favorite vegetables (I have used carrots, bell peppers and mushrooms) along with sliced onions in oil/ghee/butter just until crisp tender. Season lightly with salt and black pepper and gently mix into the cooked cumin rice.
WHAT DO I SERVE THIS WITH?
Nothing can beat a simple yogurt or curd on the side with any dish, especially a pulao/pilaf/fried rice. I love to add more healthy vegetables in my everyday meals, so usually it is a tomato onion raita with most pulaos or fried rice! Just mix in finely chopped tomatoes and red onions along with some finely chopped green chilies/jalapenos for added heat (totally optional). Season with salt and what makes it special is some more cumin in the tempering. Fry some cumin seeds in a little hot oil and add to the raita. This transforms the whole dish to something that says “yummy”!!!
So the next time you are short on time but need all the help you can get in having a comforting, healthy vegetarian meal, do try this combination of Jeera Fried Vegetable Rice with Tomato Onion Raita! Putting a full and satisfying meal on your table could not be easier! Enjoy and Happy Cooking!
More easy stir fries or rice dishes to make at home:
Quick and Easy Spicy Vegetable Fried Rice Satvik Tomato Pulao South Indian Style Lemon Rice Tawa Pulao Vaangi Bhaat/Eggplant or Brinjal Rice
PIN or SHARE for later: Cook Time: 20 minutes
FOR THE JEERA/CUMIN RICE: 1 ½ cups Basmati rice 2 tsp jeera/cumin seeds 4 cloves 1-inch piece cinnamon 2 green cardamoms/hari elaichi 1 medium onion, sliced or finely chopped 1 tsp garlic, grated or finely chopped 3 green chillies/jalapenos, sliced round/ finely chopped/slit Salt to taste 1 ¾ to 2 cups of hot water (depending upon how soft or tender you want your rice) FOR THE VEGETABLE STIR FRY: 1 large carrot, peeled and julienned 1 cup sliced mushrooms ½ cup sliced capsicum/bell pepper Pinch salt ¼ to ½ tsp black pepper powder OTHER INGREDIENTS: 2 tbsp oil 2 tsp ghee/clarified butter Salt to taste Coriander leaves/cilantro for garnish TO SERVE: Tomato-onion raita Ingredients for tomato onion raita: 1 to 1 1/2 cups plain curd/yogurt 1 large tomato, finely chopped ¼ cup finely chopped/sliced red onions 1 small green chilli/jalapeno, finely chopped Salt to taste To temper or season the raita: 1 to 2 tsp oil ½ tsp jeera/cumin seeds
Instructions Notes If you want softer rice, increase the amount of water added. I have added only 1 ¾ cups of hot water. Adjust the amount of spices and vegetables according to your personal preference. If you are vegan, just omit the ghee/butter and avoid the raita. Just enjoy fried vegetable rice with any other side of your choice! You can prepare this same dish on a stove top if you do not have a pressure cooker. Just that it may take a longer time. This is a perfect dish to prepare in an instant pot too! If you like my posts and recipes, do not forget to Pin, Share, comment in the box below or like my Facebook page Don’t forget to follow me on: Facebook @ curryandvanilla Pinterest @ curryandvanilla Instagram @ curryandvanilla16 Twitter @ curryandvanilla Google Plus @ Vanitha Bhat Have fun cooking, eating and sharing!!!!
