Craving a delicious, quick, and nutritious meal that will transport your taste buds straight to the vibrant kitchens of India? Look no further! Our Basmati Rice with Green Peas recipe is about to become your new favorite go-to dish. Imagine fragrant basmati rice perfectly infused with aromatic cumin seeds, studded with sweet green peas, and ready in just half an hour. This simple yet elegant recipe promises to elevate your home cooking game and impress even the most discerning food lovers.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Indian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup green peas
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
Instructions
- Rinse the basmati rice thoroughly under cold running water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and helps prevent the rice from becoming sticky.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle for about 30 seconds until they become fragrant and slightly golden.
- Add the rinsed basmati rice to the pan and gently stir to coat the rice grains with oil and toast them lightly for 1-2 minutes. This helps enhance the rice's nutty flavor.
- Pour in the water and add salt. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
- Add the green peas to the rice mixture, distributing them evenly throughout the pan.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and let the rice simmer for 15-18 minutes.
- After cooking time, remove the pan from heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes to allow the rice to steam and become fluffy.
- Fluff the rice gently with a fork, mixing the green peas throughout. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve hot as a side dish or as a light main course, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Tips
- Always rinse your rice thoroughly to remove excess starch and prevent clumping.
- Toasting the rice in oil before adding water helps develop a deeper, nuttier flavor.
- Use a tight-fitting lid when cooking to trap steam and ensure fluffy rice.
- Let the rice rest after cooking to allow it to steam and become perfectly tender.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of turmeric or a few whole spices like cardamom pods.
- Fresh green peas work best, but frozen peas are a convenient alternative.
- Use a fork to fluff the rice gently, preserving its delicate texture.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro or mint leaves for an extra burst of freshness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 3g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
