I got some "me" time today and as I was driving back from my massage (yay!) I decided to stop in and check out this local Indian Market and Cafe that I have never been to. It's called Little India Mart - really cute place. I bought some yummy food for lunch for the family and also a big bag of Indian basmati rice. The guy at the checkout was so nice - he gave me some instructions on a good way to cook the rice in the microwave. So I thought I would write it down so I won't forget and share the wealth too.
Indian Basmati Rice Instructions
1 part rice to 1.5 parts water (eg. 1 cup of dry rice will serve 2 people, 2 cups dry rice for 4 people)
cook in microwave for 17 minutes
Preparation: First wash the rice in a colander with clean cold water. Place some butter or ghee (to taste) in the bottom of a microwave safe container with a lid. The rice needs space to be able to grow twice its size as it absorbs the water. With the butter place 2 or 3 whole cloves and 2 cardamom seeds (break apart). Optionally add some cumin seeds too.
Cook on high in the microwave for 17 minutes. If you want to, you can pre-cook some frozen mixed vegetables or peas in the butter at the beginning of the process and then make the rice with them in it, and you will have a little veggies in there too.
Note: My mom used to make rice in the microwave similar to this before she got her rice cooker. She used a big Corning Ware Casserole with lid for it.
