Simple Indian Recipes...
Delicious and healthy dishes that can be made even by first timers.

Rice Varieties

 Published 2012-Mar-16   Updated 2020-Apr-14
(Rice Recipes, Vegetable Rice, Biryani, Biriyani, Pulao, Variety Rice, Lunch Box Rice Varieties, Variety Rice Recipes, Biryani Recipes, Pilaf, Pulao or Pulav Recipes and Others easy Indian rice recipes)

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Rice is a staple food in many countries around the world. People in most asian countries like India, China, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Bangladesh rice their main dish, while in western countries it is used as a side-dish.

In Asian countries, basic steamed rice is served with some curry or dal and some side-dish. It is also used to prepare many variety rice dishes in which cooked rice is seasoned and flavoured with lemon, tomato, tamarind, curd or coconut. Vegetables can be added while cooking rice to make different one pot meals called pulaos. Biryani is yet another famous preparation with rice and meat, that is made during special occasions. Rice is also made into flour or batter and many dishes are prepared. There are also desserts prepared with rice.

The best thing about rice dishes is that it is gluten free and can be safely given to babies or even old people. In fact it is the first food that is given to infants. Even sick people are given simple rice preparations.

Types of Rice - White, Brown, Red & Black

There are many varieties of rice available which varies in size, colour and texture. There is white, brown, red and black rice that has different nutritional benefits are used in its own way based on the region where it is available.  I would like to brief about the different rice varieties used in Indian cooking first.

In Kerala, the Rosematta Rice is commonly used for everyday rice and also to make tiffin items like puttu, idli etc. This falls under another category of rice called the ‘Parboiled Rice’, in which the rice is only partially soaked before steaming and milling. This partial soaking retains most of the nutrients in the rice, making it almost as nutritious as the brown rice. However, there is a compromise on the taste and texture. Idli rice is a type of parboiled rice that is sold specifically for making batters. Throughout India, Basmati rice is popularly used for making biryanis, pulaos and any other rich rice dishes that I have listed below. South Indians also love to make biryani with a small variety of rice known as 'Zeera Rice' (jeeraga chemba arisi). There are many more varieties used in different regions of our country as well as abroad which I will not be elaborating here.

  • Black RiceBlack Rice - This is one of the healthiest variety of rice. It is black in color but turns purplish when cooked. It has the highest amount of anthocyanin found in any food variety which helps prevent the risk of cancer. These antioxidants gives the purple color which is also present in blueberries. It is rich in fiber, phytonutrients, iron and vitamins. Its a very good food choice for people suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure and people with liver and kidney problems. This is known as kavuni arisi in tamil. I am not aware of the other regional names. It looks like the wild rice available in US but is totally different. Black rice is used to make porridge, puttu etc. It is the most expensive rice available in the market.
  • Red RiceRed Rice - Red rice is a variety of rice that is rich in antioxidants, called anthocyanin which also gives it the color. This rice has numerous health benefits including reducing the risk of cancer. Since it has high fiber content, it is useful for weight management. It is also good to maintain healthy bones and is usually given to girls during puberty in Tamil Nadu. It has a nuttier taste. In India, this rice is mostly used to make puttu and other tiffin varieties.
  • Brown RiceBrown rice - This is actually white rice in its healthiest form. In this the grain of rice is more healthier since only the outer husk is removed. The bran and germ is retained. Doctors are promoting its frequent usage in homes due to its many health benefits. These days it is common to find different varieties of brown rice in supermarkets. This can be substituted for white rice in almost dishes except that it takes a little longer to cook.
  • White Rice - This is the most commonly available rice variety which is in its most refined form. The outer germ and bran of the rice grain is removed during the polishing process. As a result, all the vitamins, minerals and fiber content are lost. However, people still prefer the starchy white rice due to its eye appeal and taste. The white rice commonly used for everyday cooking can be either Raw rice (pacha arisi) or Boiled rice (Puzhungal arisi). North Indians and South Indian Brahmins use the raw rice whereas the fully boiled variety of rice is used in most other South Indian homes. The difference between the two is the method used to remove the outer layers of germ and bran in the rice. In the first variety, milling (removal of the outer bran and germ) is done fully by mechanical process. In the second variety, the rice is soaked for several hours, steamed, dried and later milled. Raw rice is also used to make many South Indian tiffin items like pongal, appam, idiyappam, kozhukattai, puttu and pathiri. There are many brands and varieties available for both raw rice and boiled rice. Different brands vary in shape, size and texture. Certain rice varieties are very small in size and cooks fast while others are thicker and take longer to cook. The starch content of the different rice varieties also varies. You have to choose a brand based on your personal preference.  Some of these varieties are specific to certain regions in India. Both these varieties of white rice cooks very faster as compared to the other varieties. 

Here I've listed a huge collection of simple recipes of different rice dishes from various parts of India and around the globe. Do try out and enjoy!!

Plain Rice / Steamed Rice

White Rice White Rice (Steamed Rice) Cooking Brown Rice Cooking Brown Rice Cooking Kerala Matta Rice Cooking Kerala Matta Rice Cooking Rice in Traditional Rice Cooker Cooking Rice in Traditional Rice Cooker

Biryani Varieties (Biriyani)

Egg Biryani Egg Biryani Chicken Biryani Chicken Biryani Turkey Biryani Turkey Biryani Malabar Prawns Biryani Malabar Prawns Biryani
Chana Biryani Chana Biryani Mutton Biryani Mutton Biryani Quail Biryani Kaadai / Quail Biryani Fish Biryani Fish Biryani
Mushroom Soya Biryani Mushroom Soya Biryani Hyderabadi Biryani Hyderabadi Biryani Vegetable Biryani Vegetable Biryani Khuska Biryani Khuska Biryani
CKP Chicken Biryani CKP Chicken Biryani Cooked Meat Biryani Cooked Meat Biryani Shrimp Biryani Shrimp (or Prawns) Biryani CKP Prawns Biryani CKP Prawns Biryani
Hyderabadi Mutton Dum Biryani Hyderabadi Mutton Dum Biryani Thalappakatti Chicken Biryani Thalappakatti Style Chicken Biryani Malabar Chicken Biryani Malabar Chicken Biryani Beef Biryani Beef Biryani
       

North Indian Pulao Varieties / Rice Pilaf Recipes

Kashmiri Pulao Kashmiri Pulao Zafrani Pulao Zafrani Pulao Jeera Pulao Jeera Pulao Peas Pulao Peas Pulao
Dill Pulao Dill Pulao Mixed Vegetable Pulao Mixed Vegetable Pulao Egg Pulav Egg Pulav  
       

South Indian Variety Rice

Curry Leaf Rice Curry Leaf Rice Curd Rice Curd Rice Tomato Rice Tomato Rice Mint Coriander Rice Mint Coriander Rice
Puliyodharai Puliyodharai (Tamarind Rice, Puliyogare) Mango Rice Mango Rice Ellu Sadam Ellu Sadam Khuska Biryani Khuska Biryani
Coconut Rice Coconut Rice Bisi Bele Bath Bisi Bele Bath Lemon Rice Lemon Rice Ghee Rice Ghee Rice
Ulutham Choru Ulutham Choru      

Vegetable Rice (One pot meal ideas for lunch box)

Carrot Rice Carrot Rice Asparagus Pulao Asparagus Pulao Capsicum Rice Capsicum Rice Corn Rice Corn Rice
Gooseberry Rice Gooseberry Rice Spinach Rice Spinach Rice Methi Pulao Methi Pulao Okra Rice Okra Rice
Cauliflower Pulao Cauliflower Pulao Potato Pulav Potato Pulav Vangi Bath Vangi Bath Corn Biryani Corn Biryani
Broccoli Pilaf Broccoli Pulao Maharashtrian Masala BhatMaharashtrian Masala Bhat Tendli Bhaat Tendli Bhaat  
       

Rice with Lentils (Kitchadi and Pongal Varieties)

Puli Pongal Puli Pongal Ven Pongal Ven Pongal Sambhar Sadam Sambhar (Kadamba) Sadam Bisi Bele Bath Bisi Bele Bath
Payaru Kanji Payaru Kanji Paal Pongal Paal (Milk) Pongal One Pot Khara Pongal One Pot Khara Pongal Brown Rice Khichdi Brown Rice Khichdi
Karupatti Pongal (Palm Jaggery Pongal) Palm Jaggery Pongal      
       

Sweet Rice Dishes

Zarda Rice Zarda Rice Rice Pudding Rice Pudding Sweet Pongal Sweet Pongal Phirni Phirni (Rice Kheer)
Nei Payasam Nei Payasam Akkaravadisal Akkaravadisal Thaen Mittai Thaen Mittai  

International Rice Dishes

Chicken Fried Rice Chicken Fried Rice Vegetable Fried Rice Vegetable Fried Rice Rice Pudding Rice Pudding Pineapple Fried Rice Pineapple Fried Rice
Wild Rice Pilaf Wild Rice Pilaf Egg Fried RiceEgg Fried Rice Broccoli Rice and Meat Casserole Broccoli Rice & Meat Casserole  

Tiffin Items with Rice or Rice Flour

Pidi Kolukattai Pidi Kolukattai Puttu Puttu Idli Idli Kuzhipaniyaram Kuzhipaniyaram
Tri-colour Rice Dhokla Tri-colour Rice Dhokla Idiyappam Idiyappam Appam Appam Ammini Kozhukattai Ammini Kozhukattai
Ari Pathiri Ari Pathiri Plain Dosa Recipe Plain Dosa Recipe Onion Uthappam Onion Uthappam Neer Dosa Neer Dosa
Paal Kozhukattai Paal Kozhukattai Malabar Erachi Puttu Malabar Erachi Puttu Mallige Idli (Kushboo Idli) Mallige Idli (Kushboo Idli) Tumbler Idli Tumbler Idli
Sevai Sevai No Photo Red Rice Dosa Orotti Orotti Verum Arisi Adai Verum Arisi Adai
Red Rice Puttu Red Rice Puttu One Pot Khara Pongal One Pot Khara Pongal Sathu Maavu Sathu Maavu Kara Pidi Kolukattai Kara Pidi Kolukattai
Black Rice Puttu Black Rice Puttu Homemade Rice Flour Homemade Rice Flour Sihi KadubuSihi Kadubu Chakka Appam Chakka Appam
4 Arisi Adai 4 Arisi Adai Ilai Appam Ilai Appam Kombdi Vade Kombdi Vade Tandalachi Bhakri Tandalachi Bhakri (Rice Flour Flat Bread)
Idiyappam with Boiled Rice Idiyappam with Boiled Rice Paal Kolukattai Paal Kolukattai Sigappu Arisi Kozhukattai Sigappu Arisi Kozhukattai Tandalachi Ukad Tandalachi Ukad
Multi Flour Dosa Multi Flour Dosa Anarse Anarse Set Dosa Set Dosa (Sponge Dosai) Aapam with Rice Flour Aapam (with Rice Flour)
       


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Comments (1 - 50 of 90)

Person   ()
Thanks for sharing this blog sir, Really great tips wish to see more
Person   ()
Thank you so much
Person   ()
Hey ,

Thanks for the article, highly useful for all foodies. Please share more blogs . Great work !
Person   ()
Thank You. Keep visiting often. Will be uploading new content regularly.
Person   ()
i want to another name of cr 1009 rice variety
Person   ()
thank u for posting more rice varieties
Person   ()
You are welcome.
Person   ()
I like all these recipes big up
Person   ()
Thank you.
Person   ()
Hi
Does any one know how to make conduty Rice I think that's how to spell it
It's ether from portarician or Hawaiian they put a little round bean that makes it a orangey color
Person   ()
I'm sorry Rob, I am not aware of that.
Person   ()
thanks for the wonderful recipes
Person   ()
You are welcome...
Person   ()
Realy its very useful ...
Person   ()
Thank you
Person   ()
Hai dear Dahlia am shocked how do you learn this all? Anyway it is very useful for me. I learn this site for my son Rithish
Person   ()
Hi Selvi, Even I learnt all the dishes over the years from family, friends and other blogs. Keep trying new dishes and enjoy.
Person   ()
Good Hyderabad food
Person   ()
Thanks..
Person   ()
I like this site good work dahlia
Person   ()
Thanks Prachi...
Person   ()
Thanks for the varities of rice recipes. I am trying to prepare Jeera pulav today..!!
Person   ()
Wow... Yummy...
Person   ()
Thank You.
Person   ()
Dahlia nice work
Person   ()
Thank You.
Person   ()
I wan to know kaju masala recipe... Pls add that in this site..
Person   ()
Sure. Will add soon.
Person   ()
Mint rice was superrrrr!
Person   ()
Thank You.
Person   ()
All the recipes are easy and less time consuming. And almost all d regional dishes.. wow! Awesome work.. in love with this site.. ♥♥
Person   ()
Thank you so much Ann.. I am glad you like it.
Person   ()
All the recipes looks delicious. Got to try them one at a time. Thank you so much for sharing. Adds interest to everyday cooking and eating.
Person   ()
Thanks. I am so glad that the site has been motivating you.
Person   ()
Sup er asaom
Person   ()
Supper aosam :-)
Person   ()
What does that mean??
Person   ()
Supper aosam :-)
Person   ()
Wow
Person   ()
:-)
Person   ()
Capsicum rice is very yummy.Thanks for the recipe.
Person   ()
Yes. Its very tasty.. I'm happy you enjoyed...
Person   ()
nice.... for prepare lunch it is very useful.
Person   ()
Thanks....
Person   ()
Nice recipe
Person   ()
Thank you.
Person   ()
Yummy kashmiri pulao..but I face problems while purchasing raw materials for these kind of preparation, so use to order them online like youmart.in is good but only for Bangalore.
Person   ()
Thats nice... These days its getting lot easier to buy new ingredients than a few years before... Hopefully things will get better in future...
Person   ()
Areeeeeee wowww :)
Person   ()
:-)

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 Published by on and last updated on 2020-04-14.