Royal Rice Dish

Elevate your dining experience with the opulent flavors of the Royal Rice Dish, a fragrant symphony of basmati rice, warming spices, and luxurious add-ins. This dish combines golden caramelized onions, aromatic ginger, garlic, and whole spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves, all infused with the golden hue of turmeric and saffron-soaked milk. Toasted almonds and cashews bring a delightful crunch, while sweet bursts of raisins and dried apricots add a regal touch. Perfectly balanced and infused with rich flavors, this dish is a visual and culinary masterpiece that can be enjoyed as a standalone centerpiece or a deluxe side to complement curries and kebabs. Ready in under an hour, it’s the ultimate recipe for celebrating festive gatherings or adding a touch of grandeur to weeknight dinners.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups Basmati rice
• 4 cups Water
• 3 tablespoons Ghee (or clarified butter)
• 1 large Onion, finely sliced
• 3 pieces Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon Ginger, grated
• 4 pieces Whole cardamom pods
• 1 piece Cinnamon stick
• 5 pieces Cloves
• 0.5 teaspoons Turmeric powder
• 0.25 teaspoons Saffron threads, soaked in 2 tablespoons of warm milk
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 cup Dried apricots, chopped
• 0.5 cup Raisins
• 0.5 cup Cashews, lightly toasted
• 0.5 cup Almonds, slivered and toasted
• 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in water for 20 minutes, then drain thoroughly.

Step 2

In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the soaked rice and 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook for 7-8 minutes or until the rice is about 75% cooked. The grains should still have a slight bite to them. Drain the rice and set aside.

Step 3

In a large, deep skillet or saucepan, heat the ghee over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and sauté until golden brown and caramelized, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the garlic, ginger, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, and cloves. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until aromatic.

Step 5

Add the turmeric powder and the soaked saffron (along with the milk it was soaked in) to the skillet. Stir well to combine.

Step 6

Gently fold in the partially cooked rice, ensuring the spices are evenly distributed. Reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid.

Step 7

Cook the rice on low heat for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse and the rice to finish cooking.

Step 8

Meanwhile, in a small frying pan, lightly toast the almonds and cashews until golden and aromatic.

Step 9

Once the rice is cooked, fluff it gently with a fork. Stir in the dried apricots, raisins, toasted nuts, and chopped cilantro.

Step 10

Serve the Royal Rice Dish warm as a standalone main dish or as an accompaniment to curries or kebabs. Garnish with extra toasted nuts or cilantro, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1887.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2161.0

Total Fat 105.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 34.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 109.3mg	0%
Sodium 2468.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 283.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 29.2g	0%
Total Sugars 111.5g
Protein 47.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0.4IU	0%
Calcium 524.1mg	0%
Iron 19.2mg	0%
Potassium 2834.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 41.8%

Protein: 8.4%

Carbs: 49.8%