Aromatic Basmati Rice
Fragrant basmati with cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon. Stovetop steps, water ratios, and ghee toasting tips for fluffy, aromatic rice.
Adding a few whole spices to your pot of steamed rice makes a big difference. This recipe calls for cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon, but you can add black pepper, bay leaves, and coriander to the pot as well.
Submitted by: Mabel from Chicago, IL
Yield: varies
- Add whole spices while cooking to infuse gentle aroma and flavor without overpowering the rice.
- Use about 1.5 to 2 parts water per part rice; sautéing in ghee calls for the higher water ratio.
- Cook uncovered first to avoid boil-over, then cover and rest 15 minutes for light, fluffy grains.
Spices
Featured in this Recipe
Preparation Instructions:
- Put rice, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon stick, and water in a pot and allow to come to a boil.
- Contrary to instructions that you usually read about cooking rice, do not put on the lid, or the liquid will boil over.
- Once it boils, turn the heat down and simmer slightly uncovered for 7 minutes.
- Then cover, reduce the heat further, and let cook for another 8 minutes.
- Turn the heat off and let the rice sit for 15 minutes before fluffing.
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More About This Recipe
To make it even more aromatic, saute the rinsed rice in heated ghee (clarified butter) for a couple of minutes before adding water (increase to 2 parts water) and the whole spices. Be sure to read the directions on your bag of rice as they tend to vary from brand to brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why add whole spices to basmati rice?
Whole spices like cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon release aroma slowly as the rice cooks. They give a warm, subtle flavor that infuses the grains without making the dish hot. You can leave them in while serving or remove them if you prefer.
How much rice and spices should I use per person?
Plan on roughly 1/3 cup uncooked basmati per person. For spices, use about 4 to 5 cardamom pods, 2 to 3 cloves, and one small cinnamon stick per serving. Adjust amounts to taste for bigger or smaller servings.
What water ratio is best for basmati rice?
Use about 1.5 to 2 parts water for each part rice by volume. If you sauté the rinsed rice in ghee first, use 2 parts water. Also check your rice package since brands can vary.
Why do I cook uncovered first and then cover later?
Starting uncovered prevents the pot from boiling over and lets steam escape so starches settle. After about seven minutes of gentle simmer, covering traps steam to finish cooking the grains evenly.
How long should I let the rice rest and why?
Turn the heat off and let the rice sit, covered, for 15 minutes. Resting lets residual steam finish the cooking and firms up the grains so the rice is fluffier and less sticky.
Can I toast the rice in ghee and how does it affect the result?
Yes. Heat a little ghee and sauté the rinsed rice for 1 to 2 minutes until the grains look glossy. Toasting adds a nutty aroma and slightly firmer texture. If you toast, use the higher 2-to-1 water ratio.
Can I make this in a rice cooker or use different spices?
Absolutely. Add the whole spices to the rice cooker and follow the cooker or package water ratio. You can also swap or add spices like bay leaves, black pepper, or coriander to suit your taste.
How do I store and reheat leftover basmati rice?
Cool rice quickly and store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Reheat with a splash of water in the microwave covered, or steam on the stove to restore moisture and keep grains separate.
Why add whole spices to basmati rice?
Whole spices like cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon release aroma slowly as the rice cooks. They give a warm, subtle flavor that infuses the grains without making the dish hot. You can leave them in while serving or remove them if you prefer.
How much rice and spices should I use per person?
Plan on roughly 1/3 cup uncooked basmati per person. For spices, use about 4 to 5 cardamom pods, 2 to 3 cloves, and one small cinnamon stick per serving. Adjust amounts to taste for bigger or smaller servings.
What water ratio is best for basmati rice?
Use about 1.5 to 2 parts water for each part rice by volume. If you sauté the rinsed rice in ghee first, use 2 parts water. Also check your rice package since brands can vary.
Why do I cook uncovered first and then cover later?
Starting uncovered prevents the pot from boiling over and lets steam escape so starches settle. After about seven minutes of gentle simmer, covering traps steam to finish cooking the grains evenly.
How long should I let the rice rest and why?
Turn the heat off and let the rice sit, covered, for 15 minutes. Resting lets residual steam finish the cooking and firms up the grains so the rice is fluffier and less sticky.
Can I toast the rice in ghee and how does it affect the result?
Yes. Heat a little ghee and sauté the rinsed rice for 1 to 2 minutes until the grains look glossy. Toasting adds a nutty aroma and slightly firmer texture. If you toast, use the higher 2-to-1 water ratio.
Can I make this in a rice cooker or use different spices?
Absolutely. Add the whole spices to the rice cooker and follow the cooker or package water ratio. You can also swap or add spices like bay leaves, black pepper, or coriander to suit your taste.
How do I store and reheat leftover basmati rice?
Cool rice quickly and store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Reheat with a splash of water in the microwave covered, or steam on the stove to restore moisture and keep grains separate.
very nice