Jeera (Cumin) Rice

-Submitted by Dahlia on 21st Jan 2008

(Jeera Pilaf, Jeera Pulao, Cumin Rice, Zeera Pulao, Jeeraga Sadam)

Jeera Rice (also known as Zeera Rice or Jeera Pulao) is one of the easiest of all variety rice dishes. It is nothing but, boiled rice flavored with cumin seeds. It is popular all over North India especially in the Punjabi cuisine. In Pakistan it is known as Zeera Rice. 

Jeera Pulao goes along with any kind of side dish. So jeera rice is the best choice for parties or any kind of get together. I always make jeera rice for parties along with 2-3 gravies and side dishes. Kids and adults enjoy it equally. Bachelors can also make this and enjoy with some simple dal. It tastes awesome.

The ingredients used for making jeera rice are very basic. We need good quality basmati rice, cumin seeds and some ghee. All other ingredients are optional. My kids love jeera rice as it has very mild flavor which pleases their taste buds. Their favorite combination is jeera rice with any mild creamy gravies like butter chicken, malai kofta or paneer butter masala.

You can make this dish in a heavy bottomed pot, pressure cooker or in an electric rice cooker. I have given instructions for all types of preparations in the appropriate places in the recipe below. Make it in any way you are comfortable with and enjoy.

Video Instructions For Cooking Jeera Rice

Recipe For Making Jeera Rice

Preparation time: 30 minutes (including soaking time)
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Serves : 3-4

Ingredients

• Basmati rice - 1.5 cups
• Ghee/ Butter/ Oil - 2 tbsp
• Cumin seeds (Jeera) - 1 tbsp
• Whole garam masala - (1 bay leaf, 3 cloves, 1" cinnamon stick, 1 star anise, 2 green cardamom, 1 black cardamom)
• Cilantro - 1 tbsp (finely chopped for garnish)
• Green Chili - 1 (optional)
• Salt - to taste
• Water - 2.5 cups

Method

1. Wash and soak the rice for at least half an hour. Drain the water and keep it aside.

   

2. Heat the ghee in a pan or pressure cooker. Add the whole garam masala and fry for few seconds.

   

3. Add the cumin seeds and crackle it.

   

4. Add the drained rice, stir-fry for couple of minutes till the ghee coats the rice and it looks glossy. (Note: If you plan to cook in an electric rice cooker, transfer the contents to the rice cooker at this stage. You can just add water and switch it on.)

   

5. Measure exact amount of hot water and add to the rice. Adding hot water gives the best results. Also, add required salt.

   

6. Cover the pan and bring to a boil. If you are using a pressure cooker, close the cooker and bring to a boil. 

   

7. Once it boils, reduce the flame to low, cover with a tight lid and cook for about 15 minutes till all the moisture is absorbed by the rice. The rice will be cooked soft and small holes appear on top. If using a pressure cooker, put the whistle and cook for 10 minutes on low flame.

   

8. Fluff it up with a fork to keep the rice grains separate. Garnish with finely chopped cilantro or fried onions or toasted cashews.

Serving Suggestion

• This jeera rice can be served with any kind of gravies, either vegetarian and non-vegetarian.
• I love to serve it with dal makhani, paneer butter masala, malai kofta or butter chicken.

Jeera Rice With Curd Chicken

Jeera Rice With Pepper Chicken

More Rice Recipes

Peas Pulao	Mixed Vegetable Pulao	Dill Pulao	Coconut Rice
See more...

Comment by  kavitha kavitha
i observed that u use cilantro in all ur recipes.can i know thae reason?

Reply :-
Hi Kavitha, I love the flavour of fresh cilantro. Please feel free to skip it if you are not a big fan of it.

Comment by satyan seshan
do we need to use only Basmati rice or any other rice would do
 
Reply :-
I would recommend Basmati Rice.

Comment by K.G Bhat on 07 February 2010 13:47PM
try cooking any rice with jeera,chopped onions and a couple of teaspoonfuls of clarified butter.
        
Reply :-
Sure Bhat. I just love the flavour of Basmati Rice.

Comment by Fatimah on 28 October 2008 02:12AM
Hi, As my family is coming to my home for EID, I had tried this recipe and had prepared this variation of Jeera rice. It came out SUPERB. My whole family including my husband love it so much that my husband ask me to prepare the same rice for the next day for his family. Thank you so much.

Reply :-
Hi Fatimah, You are right. This is a very simple and very flavourful pulav that goes very well with any kind of gravies for any occasion.
gud job

Comment by Priya on Mon 4/14/08 10:25 AM
hai dahlia yesterday it was my hubby's birthday and i tried ur jeera rice.it came out very well.special thanks to u.one thing i have to say abt ur recipes is not time consuming but delicious.keep on doing
         
Reply :-
thanks dear, well even i dont like to slave in the kitchen.. do try all the recipes.