Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Jeera Rice with Rajma (Brown Rice Quinoa Lunch combo)

Jeera rice or Cumin rice is a comfort food of North Indians.  I have created a low Glycemic Index version of this popular cumin rice. 
Click to see this in my youtube channel:

Rajma masala with Brown rice quinoa Jeera rice
Rajma masala with Jeera rice

Cumin rice


Rajma masala

                                Jeera Rice 
Ingredients:
Brown rice - 1 cup
Quinoa - 1/2 cup
water = (number of cups of rice, quinoa )x 2 - 1/2
water - 2 1/2 cups
salt - 1/4 tsp
ghee - 1 tsp
cumin - 1 tsp
cloves - 5
cardamom - 5
Bay leaf - 1
Method:
Put together brown rice and quinoa.
Rinse well. Soak for 10 mins - 30 mins.
Heat a pressure cooker (pls see my video).
Add 1 tsp ghee.
Add  cumin, cloves, cardamom, bay leaf. 
Let cumin gets crispy.
Add soaked water from rice, quinoa.
Add salt. Let it come to a boil.
Put the rice+quinoa.
Put on the lid, pressure valve of pressure cooker.
Bring to 1 whistle.
Reduce heat and cook for 5 mins.
Switch off.
Open after safety valve settles down.
Transfer it to a serving bowl and enjoy with Rajma masala or any side dish.

                             Rajma Masala 
Ingredients:
Rajma - 1 cup
Salt - 1 tsp (to taste)
Onion - 1 
Tomato - 2
Ginger garlic paste - 1 Tbsp
Peanut oil - 2 Tbsp
fennel - 1 tsp
cumin - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric - 1/2 tsp
Chili powder - 1/2 tsp
coriander powder - 2 tsp
garam masala powder - 1 tsp
Kasoori methi (dry fenugreek leaf) - 1 tbsp
Method:
Rinse Rajma and soak it overnight (8-12 hours).
Pressure cook Rajma with water just enough to cover + 1 inch above the Rajma.
Bring to 1 whistle. Reduce heat and cook for 10 mins.
Heat oil in a vessel.
Add fennel, cumin.
Once it gets red, add minced onion.
Fry till mild golden color.
Then add chopped tomato, 1 tsp salt.
Cook till oil separates.
Add all masala powders.
Fry few minutes.
Add ginger garlic paste and fry for a minute.
Then add the cooked rajma and cook covered for 5 minutes.
Switch off.
Sprinkle kasoori methi.
Rajma masala is ready !

Serving suggestions:
Makes a nutritious lunch / dinner for 3 people.
Rajma masala would be enough for 6 servings.

Time taken :
Cooking time - 1 hour
Rajma soaking time 8-12 hours


Friday, September 5, 2025

Aval Pradhaman for Onam ! ஓணம் ஸ்பெஷல் அவல் பாயசம் ||

Hi friends, 
Aval payasam is a quick, easy, delicious kheer / payasam / pradhaman using aval (poha ).
I have made this in the original Kerala method. This recipe calls for using white sugar instead of jaggery, so that the milk stays nice. 
Kindly try and let me know your feedback,
Thanks for your continuing support,
Happy Onam !


Time Taken : 10-15 mins
Servings : 
Makes 4 servings of 3/4 cup
Almost makes 1/2 liter payasam


Ingredients:
Thin white Poha (vellai aval) - 1/2 cup
Shredded coconut - 1/4 cup
Regular white Sugar - 1/2 cup
Milk - 2cups
Ghee - 1 Tbsp
Almond - 4
Cashew - 10
Raisin - 1 Tbsp
Cardamom Powder - 1/4 Tsp

Method:
Heat a cooking vessel with 1 Tbsp ghee.
Add sliced almond , cashew and fry few secs.
Then add raisin and fry till it puffs.
Take it out, we will see some remaining ghee.
Add Poha to it and fry till it gets crispy (but not red).
Add shredded coconut and fry till nice aroma comes.
Add milk and let the poha cook till soft but not mushy (takes 5 mins for thin poha / 10 mins for thick poha).
Add sugar and bring to a boil . (If adding brown sugar / jaggery - do not cook for long time).
Add fried nuts, cardamom powder and switch off.


Our delicious quick dessert , Aval payasam is ready !
Enjoy !