Ingredients
Basmati rice – 1 cup
Water – 1.75 to 2 cups
Cumin seeds – 1.5 tsp
Ghee – 1.5 tbsp
Bay leaf – 1
Cloves – 2
Cinnamon – small piece
Green chili – 1 (optional)
Salt – as needed
Execution
1. Prep the Rice
Wash basmati rice and soak for 20 minutes.
Drain and keep ready.
2. Tempering
Heat ghee in a pan.
Add cumin seeds → let them crackle.
Add bay leaf, cloves, cinnamon, green chili → sauté lightly.
3. Add Rice & Cook
Add soaked rice and sauté for 1 minute.
Add water + salt.
Cook covered on low flame until rice is done and fluffy.
Let rest 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
Additional tips
Sautéing the rice before adding water helps keep grains long and non-sticky.
Always soak basmati; it cooks softer and more aromatic.
Using ghee instead of oil gives that pure restaurant-style flavor.