Rice with Cumin Seeds

My Favourite Rice Recipes

Rice with Cumin Seeds myfavouritepastime.com_2155My most favourite addition to rice is usually fennel seeds, a native to southern Europe, which has long been used as a remedy for flatulence and indigestion, in traditional medicine. They are many other seeds that can be added to rice like caraway, dill, anise and cumin, just to mention a few. Cumin seeds have a very distinct aroma and flavour, that can never be mistaken for anything else. The flavour can be described as penetrating and peppery with slight citrus overtones. It’s one of the ingredients that’s usually added to pilau rice and was highly honoured as a culinary seasoning in both ancient Greek and Roman kitchens.

Rice with Cumin Seeds myfavouritepastime.com_2154Cumin is used to flavour many foods for example, cheeses, such as Leyden and Gouda; breads, rolls, naans and flat breads; sauces, soups and curries; barbequed or grilled meats just to mention a few. It’s also added to many spice mixes like: garam masala, curry powder, baharaat and adobo. If you use cumin to flavour rice, you can either just add it on its own or mix in other whole spices like cloves, caradamom and cinnamon, to further enhance the flavour. I hope you’ll like this simple recipe. I wish you a happy week, ahead.

  • Ingredients
  • 400g (2 cups) basmati rice
  • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil or ghee
  • 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 4 cardamoms split open at the tip of the pod
  • 2 x 2 inch cinnamon stick, broken
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ teaspoon dried chilli flakes (optional) or finely chopped chillies
  • 750ml (3 cups) water or vegetable stock (you can also add a bouillon cube to the water)

Rice with Cumin Seeds myfavouritepastime.com_2114Please, always remember to assemble all ingredients before you start. Wash and soak the rice in cold water for 30 minutes. Drain thoroughly, set aside. (if you prefer not to soak the rice add ¼ cup more water or stock and simmer at a slightly higher temperature)

Rice with Cumin Seeds myfavouritepastime.com_2117Heat the oil or ghee in a large non-stick pan. Fry the cumin seeds, cloves, cardamons, cinnamon stick, bay leaves and chilli flakes (if using) over medium heat until they splutter and turn lightly browned (be careful of the spluttering spices and please, do not overgrown or burn them)

Rice with Cumin Seeds myfavouritepastime.com_2119Add the rice and stir and fry for 5 minutes, until the rice is fairly dry. Lower the heat in the last 2 minutes.

Rice with Cumin Seeds myfavouritepastime.com_2124Add water (or stock) and bring to a rolling boil. Check seasoning. Cover the pan, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 12 minutes. Please do not lift the lid during the twelve minutes. Turn off the heat and leave undisturbed for a further 12 minutes. Lift the lid, fluff the rice and serve immediately.

Rice with Cumin Seeds myfavouritepastime.com_2126Fluff the rice and serve

Rice with Cumin Seeds myfavouritepastime.com_2134Garnish with some cashew nuts

Rice with Cumin Seeds myfavouritepastime.com_2138A great way to take a break from plain steamed rice

Rice with Cumin Seeds

Preparation time: Ten minutes; Cooking time: 40 minutes; Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

  • 400g (2 cups) basmati rice
  • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil or ghee
  • 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
  • 6 whole cloves
  • 4 cardamoms split open at the tip of the pod
  • 2 x 2 inch cinnamon stick, broken
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ teaspoon dried chilli flakes (optional) or finely chopped chillies
  • 750ml (3 cups) water or vegetable stock (you can also add a bouillon cube to the water)

Instructions

  1. Wash and soak the rice in cold water for 30 minutes. Drain thoroughly, set aside. (if you prefer not to soak the rice add ¼ cup more water or stock and simmer at a slightly higher temperature)
  2. Heat the oil or ghee in a large non-stick pan. Fry the cumin seeds, cloves, cardamons, cinnamon stick, bay leaves and chilli flakes (if using) over medium heat until they splutter and turn lightly browned (be careful of the spluttering spices)
  3. Add the rice and stir and fry for 5 minutes, until the rice is fairly dry. Lower the heat in the last 2 minutes.
  4. Add water (or stock) and bring to a rolling boil. Check seasoning. Cover the pan, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 12 minutes. Please do not lift the lid during the twelve minutes.
  5. Turn off the heat and leave undisturbed for a further 12 minutes. Lift the lid, fluff the rice and serve immediately.

myfavouritepastime.com

Author: Liz

I love everything food: eating, cooking, baking and travelling. I also love photography and nature.

35 thoughts

  1. Hi Liz, this sounds indian, spices n spices, cumin seeds has great aroma n with rice in between its a recipe to try. Good recipe. Tom Soyer.

    Reply

    1. Hi again Tom,
      I love rice with spices. It breaks the monotony of plain boiled rice You should try this sometime. Have a wonderful Sunday!
      Liz

      Reply

  3. We could smell the rice dish from here. 🙂 The cashews are a great addition – something to crunch on to vary the texture of the rice! Yum!

    Reply

      1. All well, thank you! Despite weather being grimly grim and damp and I am off this week so not amused. Still, not long until summer and Spain! Can’t wait – hope all well with you and yours. x

        Reply

        1. I wish you could carry me in your carry on luggage. Maybe I’d get a chance to experience Spain then. Weather here is nice and sunny, sometimes too sunny and annoying. Enjoy your off-week!
          Liz

  10. I never know what to do with rice so don’t usually do anything but cook it. This has so many yummy spices in it. I bet the flavor is wonderful. Thank you for giving me a new way to cook rice!

    Reply

      1. I made curried rice last night to go with some leftover stir fry veggies and chicken. Still some left, so may gobble down some more tonight.

        Reply

        1. Oh curried rice sounds delicious. I plan to make some curried chicken and rice salad tomorrow. I can’t’ wait…dinner is long over here!
          Liz

        2. We eat all our meals late. I haven’t even started dinner! I think you are three hours ahead of us. It is ten after eight here.

        3. It’s now a new fine day here. I better head off to sleep. That means you also have a late breakfast? Enjoy your dinner!
          Liz

        5. I am now really off to sleep. I must be typing a lot of jargon because I keep on falling asleep…see ya tomorrow. Goodnight!
          Liz

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