There were very few dishes I knew to cook before getting married and Ghee rice was one of them.I've been cooking Ghee rice/Neichoru since my schooldays.I got the recipe from a very dear friend who used to prepare it very often and I thought I should try it out too.It came out perfect each and every time and I thought I must be a very great cook.Fact is,the recipe is quite foolproof.
Neichoru/Ghee rice is a delicately spiced rice with a strong flavor of ghee.There are many ways one could go about making it but the recipe I have follows a pressure cooker method.It gets done in less than 20 minutes from start to finish and is perfect for potluck parties since it pairs up well with spiced curries as well as simple raitas.Ideally,it is made with a special variety of rice called Jeeragashala[jeera rice],I have used Basmati.
Neichoru ~ Ghee Rice
Ingredients
Basmati rice - 1 cup
Ghee - 2 tbsp
Onions - 2,thinly sliced
Cashewnuts - 10,halved
Cardamom - 2
Cinnamon - 1' stick
Cloves - 3
Water - 2 cups
Salt to taste
Method
Wash the rice well under running water 2-3 times or till the water runs clear.Soak in enough water for 10-15 minutes and drain.
In a pressure cooker add 1 tbsp ghee and saute the cashewnuts till golden brown,drain and reserve.
Saute half the onions till the onions become dark brown,drain and keep aside.
Add rest of the ghee and mix in the whole spices and then remaining onions.Saute till the onions start turning golden brown.
Mix in the drained rice and give a good stir.
Add water and salt to taste and let the mix come to a rolling boil.
Shut the pressure cooker with the lid and cook for 1 whistle.Switch off the flame immediately and let the cooker come to room temperature.
Open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.Garnish with sauteed onions and cashewnuts and serve.
Notes
Neichoru/Ghee rice is a delicately spiced rice with a strong flavor of ghee.There are many ways one could go about making it but the recipe I have follows a pressure cooker method.It gets done in less than 20 minutes from start to finish and is perfect for potluck parties since it pairs up well with spiced curries as well as simple raitas.Ideally,it is made with a special variety of rice called Jeeragashala[jeera rice],I have used Basmati.
Ingredients
Basmati rice - 1 cup
Ghee - 2 tbsp
Onions - 2,thinly sliced
Cashewnuts - 10,halved
Cardamom - 2
Cinnamon - 1' stick
Cloves - 3
Water - 2 cups
Salt to taste
Method
Wash the rice well under running water 2-3 times or till the water runs clear.Soak in enough water for 10-15 minutes and drain.
In a pressure cooker add 1 tbsp ghee and saute the cashewnuts till golden brown,drain and reserve.
Saute half the onions till the onions become dark brown,drain and keep aside.
Add rest of the ghee and mix in the whole spices and then remaining onions.Saute till the onions start turning golden brown.
Mix in the drained rice and give a good stir.
Add water and salt to taste and let the mix come to a rolling boil.
Shut the pressure cooker with the lid and cook for 1 whistle.Switch off the flame immediately and let the cooker come to room temperature.
Open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.Garnish with sauteed onions and cashewnuts and serve.
Notes
- Basmati rice can be replaced with regular rice too.I have used Sona Masoori rice with great success.
- You could make this rice with vegetables too which would make it more wholesome.
Sending my plate of Neichoru to Kerala Kitchen.
There is no pleasure than eating this rice Divya :) Looks fantastic. The roasted onions and cashews as topping makes ghee rice exotic :) Love your version a lot :)
ReplyDeleteVery prettily captured!
ReplyDeleteVery delicious, rich and flavorful rice...Lovely clicks...
ReplyDeleteNeichoru is one of the earliest foods I remember eating :) I still crave it and seeing it on your blog is making my mouth water! Love the new look of Easy cooking by the way! Fabulous Divya :)
ReplyDeleteSimple to make,yet rich dish,loved the caramelized onions on the top!
ReplyDeletedivya the best part to eat in this is the fried cashew nuts!!! n the fried onions... lovely!!!!!!
ReplyDeletedivya the best part to eat in this is the fried cashew nuts!!! n the fried onions... lovely!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBookmarked to try...luv this simple one pot meal, luv the fluffy rice...very tempting ghee rice
ReplyDeleteIts a visual treat n also treat for the tummy its so yummy..
ReplyDeletewow even after my lunch I feel hungry after seeing the picture.
ReplyDeleterecipe sounds so simple divya
would try it sometime !!!
Yes.. simple n tasty variety of rice this is! :)
ReplyDeletebut I prepare the rice first n then prepare the ghee rice.
I often hear tht cooking rice in cooker is not good for health.. is it so?
Mind blowing clicks dear. This is my favorite rice. Loved your version.
ReplyDeleteI love ghee rice..urs look delicious n perfect dear
ReplyDeleteLuved ur clicks,...rice will go perfect with any curry :)
ReplyDeleteI love this rice very much as the flavor is so subtle. The clicks only make me more hungry.
ReplyDeleteI am not a fan of neichoru as don't like nei , but love that curry behind it :-) and love the picture too.
ReplyDeleteEasy and yummy.. We always choose this as the main dish for get togethers.. :)
ReplyDeleteAll time fav. rice...lovely clicks, Divya!
ReplyDeleteGhee Rice and some gravy subzi along with it is a gr8 combo......I love the new look of yor blog.
ReplyDeleteHi Divya, i'm visitng your space for the first time. Saw your cup cake recipe on cookingandme and loved it. Ghee rice recipe looks delish and the toppings make it decadent.
ReplyDeleteHi Divya, this is my first time here and i'm loving it. Saw your lovely cup cakes on cookingandme and glad I visited your space. The ghee rice is something i have never made but next time when i have guests...i'm going to try it.
ReplyDeleteDelicious!! Beautiful tasty rice!!
ReplyDeletelooks gr8...nice pic...
ReplyDeleteabsolutely tempting..love the clicks
ReplyDeleteLooks super delicious :)
ReplyDeletekindling the appetite and gastric juices :) yuM!
ReplyDeleteI think for us Malayalies Neichoru is a go to dish when in a hurry, yet need a delicious and flavorful rice.Thanks a lot for sending this simple and delicious dish over to Kerala Kitchen.
ReplyDeleteneychor is delicious.looking yummy.Ghee Rice is very special in malabar sides.which is also my favorite.
ReplyDelete