Ghee Rice / Nei choru

Ghee rice / Nei Choru is one of the traditional Kerala dishes served on special occasions. Among all rice recipes, ghee rice is best recipe due to its simple preparation and heavenly incomparable taste. It is a fragrant, subtly spiced special rice; loaded with ghee / clarified butter, caramelized onions, aromatic spices such as cardamom, bay leaf, black peppercorns and cloves, nuts and raisins. All this simply makes it stand out from others.

My mom used to make this during most weekends back home. It is a quick and easy dish, but that does not in any way affect its grandeur. When you are running out of time and need to make a special meal, Ghee rice is the go to recipe. It goes well with most South Indian dishes like Chicken curry, Mutton / Lamb curry or Egg curries.

Ingredients:

Basmati rice - 2 cups, washed and drained

Onion - 2, large, finely sliced

Green chilies - 3, slit length wise

Ginger, crushed – ½ tablespoon

Garlic, crushed – ½ tablespoon

Cloves – 6

Cardamom - 2

Cinnamon stick - 1" stick (2 pieces)

Bay leaf - 2

Cashew nuts - 10-12,

Raisins – 1 Tablespoon

Salt to taste

Coriander leaves - 2 tbsps, finely chopped(optional)

Ghee - 4 tbsps

Method:

1.  Heat a heavy bottomed vessel, add 3 tbsps. ghee and allow it to melt. Once hot, reduce flame, add the cashew nuts and sauté till golden brown and remove. Add the raisins and sauté for a few seconds and remove. Keep aside the cashew nuts and raisins.

2.  In the same vessel, add the sliced onion and saute till the onions are caramelized. This could take about 9-12 minutes. Remove the onions and keep aside.

3.   In the same cooking vessel, add a tbsp. of ghee and once hot, add the cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and bay leaf. Allow to splutter. Add the green chilies, Crushed ginger and garlic. Sauté for few seconds. Add the drained rice and sauté on low flame for 4 minutes. Do not over mix or the rice might break. Add 3 3/4 cups hot water and salt to taste. Bring to a boil.

4. Reduce flame to low, place lid and cook till the rice is soft. Remove lid and mix well. Remove onto a serving plate.

5.  Garnish with caramelized onions, cashew nuts and raisins

6.  Can be served with chicken or mutton or egg curry.