Rice has been around since ancient times and remains an essential ingredient in Asian cuisines. Its unique taste and versatility allow for creative culinary combinations that make for a complete meal in its own right.
From fried rice to biryani, we’ve collected the best rice recipes you can try at home. All these dishes can be easily made on the stovetop with a pressure cooker or Instant Pot.
Biryani
Biryani requires long-grain rice with a fluffy texture – basmati is ideal here, but other types are acceptable too – just make sure you use high quality brand of rice from your local Indian grocery store.
To prepare the rice, rinse and drain soaked grains before adding them to 4 cups of water in a deep pan. Bring this mixture to a boil then reduce heat and cover for 15 minutes.
Once the rice is cooked, remove it from the heat and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. This allows the grains to absorb some of the water, becoming soft and sticky in texture.
If the rice has become too dry, add more water or oil. An ideal ratio is 1 cup raw rice to 4 cups water; however, you can adjust this according to the type of rice.
Once the rice has been drained and rested, it’s time to make curry. We will need 12 teaspoon butter or ghee, turmeric powder, Kashmiri red chili powder, and ground coriander.
For optimal flavor and texture, opt for aged basmati rice. However, if you can’t locate it, any good-quality rice will do.
You’ll want to season the rice with salt and saffron for an aromatic twist. Also, you’ll need a pot to steam both chicken and rice in; either a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot works best.
Once the chicken and rice are ready, layer them together in a pan. For an eye-catching touch, sprinkle fresh cilantro or mint leaves over each layer for visual interest.
Finally, pour the curry over your chicken and rice and stir to mix everything together. You’ll need a lid for this step; seal the entire pan with some kneaded dough for extra security.
The steaming process will cook the chicken and rice together, creating an irresistibly rich flavor. Plus, it’s an ideal way to use up leftover rice! Serve this biryani with vinegar onions and curd for a satisfyingly filling meal that uses up all your leftover grains!
Pulao
Pulao is an irresistible one-pot rice dish made with whole spices and nutritious ingredients. It’s ideal for weeknight meals or special occasions like Diwali – enjoy!
This delicious pulao recipe calls for rice, vegetables, essential whole spices and herbs – all of which can be combined to make a nutritious meal that’s ready in just 20 minutes! Plus, it’s gluten-free!
This pulao is the ideal accompaniment to many Indian dishes and it can also serve as a main dish with raita or kadhi for an enjoyable and light meal.
Pulao, also known as stewed rice, is a dish prepared by cooking it in seasoned water or broth. This method of cooking lends the grain an enhanced flavor and texture.
Before cooking rice pulao, it is necessary to soak it in water for at least half an hour. Doing this helps soften the grain and separate out individual grains, ensuring your dish cooks perfectly every single time.
After soaking the rice, add it to a pressure cooker with enough water to cover both the rice and vegetable mix. You may need to adjust this amount depending on your variety of rice.
Pulao should be cooked in a pressure cooker for at least 4 minutes to guarantee it’s fully cooked and the rice tender. Once the timer beeps, turn off the heat and release any pressure by opening the steam release handle.
Once the pulao is cooked, stir it vigorously in the pot until all ingredients are evenly blended. You may wish to add additional vegetables as desired.
Vegetables that you can add to this pulao include peas, green beans, potatoes, carrots, cabbage and mixed frozen vegetables like broccoli and mushrooms. Vegetables are packed with essential vitamins and will give the rice an irresistible flavor.
Traditional pulao is made with herbs such as coriander leaves, cilantro and mint. If you’re trying this dish for the first time, these ingredients provide a bright, refreshing flavor – so they may be worth trying first.
Ghee rice
Ghee rice is an irresistibly spicy South Indian dish served with various curries and stews. It has become a staple in many households as well as being popular at restaurants.
It is also an excellent source of protein and carbohydrates. Unfortunately, it contains high amounts of fat so it should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
A classic recipe, this rice is prepared using whole spices and rice. To prepare it, the spices are sauteed in ghee before cooking the grains to create a fluffy dish.
This recipe requires only a few ingredients and takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. It’s ideal for entertaining guests and makes use of leftover rice.
First, heat the ghee in a pan over medium-high heat. Next, add all of your whole spices – bay leaf, star anise, cinnamon, green cardamoms, cloves and black peppercorns – and fry for several seconds to release their aroma.
Once the spices have been roasted, add sliced onions and curry leaves. Mix thoroughly, then allow the onions to slightly brown.
Once the onions have turned golden brown, remove them from the heat. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and stir, then add your drained and cleaned rice back to the pan.
Finally, add water and cook until the rice is done. After all the liquid has been absorbed and the grains have become fluffy, your dish is ready to serve!
Preparing ghee rice is not difficult, but it does take some practice to perfect the recipe. If this is your first time making this dish, be sure to follow all directions closely so that your dish comes out perfect every time.
Ghee is an essential fat that’s packed with essential vitamins and minerals that should be included as part of any balanced diet. It can be used as a replacement for butter in some recipes or added during the cooking process. Furthermore, using it instead of oil when pressure cooking dishes works great as it helps avoid overheating.
Jasmine rice
Jasmine rice is a long, fragrant grain with an irresistibly popcorn-like aroma and light, fluffy texture. It’s popular in many Asian cuisines such as Thai and Vietnamese cooking, plus it also works great in curries, stir-fries and meat dishes.
Jasmine rice can be found at most supermarkets either in the international foods aisle or the rice section (usually on the bottom shelf). While it’s more expensive than plain white rice, you may find bulk bins for less money.
Asian and Thai chefs will love this versatile ingredient in salads, rice bowls, oven-baked casseroles and soups. Additionally, it makes an irresistible side dish for meats, stews and thick curry dishes.
Brown jasmine rice is an excellent source of protein and fiber, lower in fat and cholesterol than other varieties of rice, as well as helping regulate blood sugar levels. Plus, this healthful option has more vitamins and minerals than white varieties plus natural hulls and bran for extra nutrition.
Rice when cooked correctly becomes fluffy and slightly sticky, making it a versatile side dish that goes great with most meats, poultry, and vegetables – whether served sweet or savory.
To make it more than a side dish, add some fruit or spices. Then serve it alongside meals that are spicy or tangy for an explosion of flavors.
Rice can be the star of any meal, but the key to cooking it perfectly is having the correct ratio of water to rice. It may not be easy to determine exactly how much water should go into each bowl of rice, so check your recipes or watch a video tutorial on cooking rice to learn what that ideal ratio should be.
Follow these easy steps for perfect, fluffy jasmine rice every time! Start by boiling your rice with salt and water in a saucepan, then let cool until desired consistency before serving. Alternatively, if you have an electric rice cooker or instant pot, that can also be used for preparation of the grain.