Jeera Rice -- Cumin Flavored Indian Spiced Rice ~ A complete meal in minutes

Jeera aka cumin seeds( a strong aromatic spice used abundant in India ) has been known for its medicinal values from ages. They help in digestion, common cold and also for pregnant women to increase lactation. We still use Bhavana Jeelakarra, cumin seeds pickled and dried in lemon juice, black salt etc,, to aid digestion and reduce gas. I always keep them handy to use as a quick and safe remedy for bloating.

Here's one simple recipe that uses this warm and flavorful spice, the Jeera rice, i.e, Basmati rice flavored with toasted cumin and cumin seeds powder in butter/ghee along with onions and chillies for heat. I tasted this for the first time in a Dhaba while coming from Shirdi along with my husband and fallen in love instantly with this simple spiced and aromatic earthy rice bursting with full of flavor. I use ghee / butter for cooking as toasting cumin seeds in butter enhances the strong aroma of Cumin( Jeela karra ) . Here's my version of Jeera Rice.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 3-5 green chillies
• 1 small onion
• 2 tbsp jeera/cumin seeds
• 1 tbsp cumin seeds powder
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp butter/ghee
  
• 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste

Preparation:

• Clean, soak and cook a cup of basmati rice
• Chop onions and green chillies
• In a pan/kadai add oil and ghee/butter along with cumin seeds
• Once the seeds start to brown and release the aroma add onions and green chillies
  
• Saute the onions and add ginger garlic paste, when the onions are cooked add jeera powder, garam masala and salt.
• Now add the cooked rice and adjust salt to your taste
• Finish it off with cilantro

Serve this simple flavorful earthy Jeera rice along with generous amounts of fresh homemade thick yogurt(perugu/dahi) or any of these curries. And I promise you cant get enough of this Cumin flavored Rice..