Ghee Rice (Neyy choru)

This is a  rice recipe flavored with spices which is predominantly used in Northern part (Malabar side) of Kerala State. This recipe is made with ghee and hence the name. This is an easy rice recipe which can be prepared for family gatherings or festivals. This recipe goes very well with mutton or chicken curry as side dish.

Ingredients:

Rice: 4 cups (serves 6 -7 people)

Ghee: 2 -3  tbsp 

Onion: 2 No.s (sliced)

Cashew-nut: 10-15 no.s

Raisins: 15-20 no.s

Cardamom: 4-6 no.s

Cloves: 4-6 no.s

Cinnamon: 2 pieces

Star Anise: 1 piece

Bay leaf: 1 no.

Salt: as per the taste

Method:

1. Heat 1 tbsp ghee in a pan and fry cashews and raisins and keep it aside.

2. In the same pan fry sliced onions to golden brown in color, add more ghee if required. Keep it aside for garnishing.

3. In the same pan, add ghee and fry the whole spices and add the drained rice to it and fry for 1-2 mins.

4. Add 7-8 cups of water to the rice and add salt. Close the lid and cook the rice till  water is absorbed and rice is cooked well.

5. Garnish the rice with fried onions, cashews and raisins. Serve hot with  mutton/chicken curry or any vegetable curry of your choice.

Note: I have added  1 carrot  in this recipe for better appearance. But in the classical recipe  we don't add any vegetables so I skipped it in the recipe.