Aromatic Ghee Rice (Nei Choru)
Make Aromatic Ghee Rice (Nei Choru), an Indian side dish recipe with basmati rice, ghee, cinnamon stick (1-inch). It has about 30 min, about 380 calories per serving. Get ingredients, step-by-step instructions, nutrition estimates, FAQs, and Recipe Genius app tools.
Quick answer
Aromatic Ghee Rice (Nei Choru) is an Indian side dish recipe that takes about 30 min, makes 4 servings, has about 380 calories per serving. Use the ingredients and steps below, or open it in Recipe Genius for guided Cook Mode, timers, serving changes, and a shopping list.
Aromatic Ghee Rice (Nei Choru) ingredients
- 1.5 cups basmati rice
- 3 tbsp ghee
- 1 cinnamon stick (1-inch)
- 3 green cardamom pods
- 4 cloves
- 1 bay leaves
- 1 star anise
- 1/2 onion (small, thinly sliced)
- 1/4 cup cashews (whole or halves)
- 2 tbsp raisins
- 3 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro (chopped, for garnish)
How to make Aromatic Ghee Rice (Nei Choru)
- Rinse 1.5 cups basmati rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in fresh water for 20 minutes, then drain completely and set aside.
- Heat 3 tablespoons ghee in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until melted and shimmering.
- Add 1 (1-inch) cinnamon stick, 3 green cardamom pods, 4 cloves, 1 bay leaf, and 1 star anise to the hot ghee. Sauté for about 30-60 seconds until the spices are fragrant.
- Add 1/2 small thinly sliced onion, 1/4 cup cashews, and 2 tablespoons raisins to the pot. Sauté for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion turns translucent, the cashews are lightly golden, and the raisins plump up.
- Add the drained basmati rice to the pot. Gently sauté the rice for 2-3 minutes, stirring carefully to coat the grains with ghee and spices, which helps prevent sticking and enhances flavor.
- Pour in 3 cups of water and add 1 teaspoon salt. Stir gently to combine. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the pot tightly with a lid, and cook for 15-18 minutes without lifting the lid. The rice will absorb all the water and become tender.
- After 15-18 minutes, turn off the heat but keep the pot covered. Allow the Ghee Rice to rest for an additional 5-10 minutes to finish steaming and for the grains to separate beautifully.
- Gently fluff the rice with a fork, ensuring not to break the grains. Garnish with 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro.
- Serve the Aromatic Ghee Rice hot as a fragrant side dish with rich curries like Korma, Chicken Chettinad, or various vegetable preparations.
Aromatic Ghee Rice (Nei Choru) FAQ
How do I make Aromatic Ghee Rice (Nei Choru)?
Make Aromatic Ghee Rice (Nei Choru) by gathering the ingredients below, following the step-by-step instructions, and checking that everything is cooked safely before serving.
What ingredients are in Aromatic Ghee Rice (Nei Choru)?
The main ingredients include basmati rice, ghee, cinnamon stick (1-inch), green cardamom pods, cloves. The full ingredient list is included on this page.
How long does Aromatic Ghee Rice (Nei Choru) take?
This recipe takes about 30 min, depending on prep speed and kitchen equipment.
How many calories are in Aromatic Ghee Rice (Nei Choru)?
Recipe Genius estimates about 380 calories per serving. Nutrition is estimated, so use your own labels when precision matters.