Sometimes, the itch to write just disappears. That is when I really feel some slides come in and just make up for what I am not able to express. A beautiful one for keeps…
I guess neychoru or ghee rice is something that a lot of Malabaris love with their spicy non-veg gravies. Even though I am not a fan of it, I make it on and off as HD loves it. I have already shared the recipe – as prepared normally and pressure cooked, however both the instances I have used basmati rice. As you go towards the northern side of Kerala – Thalassery, Kannur and likes – they use a smaller variety of rice which is called Jeerakashala. The grain is small but it has a special taste and smell, which makes it stand out when made into neychoru or into biriyani. Today’s recipe is just a decked up ghee rice, flavored with coconut milk. Nice and rich, first time I served it with this mutton masala and it was a really good hit. Definitely, this one is going to feature on the tables more frequently now!
Special Ghee Rice
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cup jeerakashaala rice
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 3 cloves
- 1 pc cinnamon
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 cardamoms
- 6 peppercorns
- 1 star anise
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- 2 tbsp cashewnuts
- 8-10 raisins
- 1 2 " pc ginger pounded
- 1 onion sliced
- 400 ml thin coconut milk
- 400 ml water
- 1 sachet seasoning powder optional
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Wash the jeerakashala rice well and set aside to drain.
- Heat ghee in a deep saucepan. Fry the whole spices and curry leaves briefly.
- Add the cashewnuts and raisins and fry for half a minute.
- Add in the ginger and saute till raw smell is gone. Now add the onion and saute till wilted.
- Add in the coconut milk, water, seasoning powder and salt and allow it to boil on high flame.
- Once it comes to a rolling boil, add in the rice and allow it to boil again.
- Now reduce flame to bare minimum, close the saucepan and allow it to cook undisturbed for 15 to 20 minutes till the rice is cooked and water is all absorbed.
- Toss the rice with a long wooden spatula for ensuring even cooking.
- Switch off the flame and fluff up the rice. Serve hot with a spicy curry!
Notes
You can use basmati rice. If using, then use similar proportion of coconut milk and water, however ensure to soak the washed rice for 30 minutes before draining.
You can use a mix of coconut milk and milk as well.
The pic itself tells how yumm it is….. love the addition of coconut milk for its preparation….. Will try it soon .in my kitchen…. 🙂
Thank you so much Remya… 🙂
The rice looks great! I have never really cooked rice with addition of coconut milk…Great post
Thank you so much Gauri…
Droolicious Rafee. I love ghee rice and spicy chicken gravy… OH bliss!
Thank you so much Jyothi…
wonderful looking rice dear
Thanks a lot Monu…
My favorite n flavorful rice
Thanks a lot Akhila…
Ghee rice looks glorious, Rafee. I don't know how I commented elsewhere and missed this. The coconut milk would make it so lush and I suppose seasoning powder is the Maggi? Really really good, blogger friend.
Yes, the seasoning can be Maggi, though I use Knorr, my favorite being their olive oil and herb one… Thanks a lot darling… xoxo
New kind of rice grain is it the same as samba rice?
I have heard samba but never tried. This one is a small grain… thanks a lot Nammi…
It looks and sounds delicious.
Thanks a lot Neela…
Adding coconut milk makes this even more yumm..love to have this with chicken curry..looks yummy
Thank you so much Gloria…
I bought a pack of jeerakashala from Kerala but now got over with it..ghee rice had been in my do list for long but always postponed thinking about the ghee measures,but this is so good with just 2tbsp ghee and coconut milk twist,bookmarked dear to try !!
I hope you try and enjoy it! I always use little ghee, just for smell… Hehe… Thank you so much Julie…
Ghee rice with coconut milk sounds yum!!!!
Thank you so much Sona…
Rich n tasty luking vth simple process.
Thank you so much Usha…
Hi Rafeeda,
What is seasoning powder ?
Hi Sidu… it is basically chicken stock in powder form rather than cube… you can use 2 stock cubes in place of the seasoning powder…