The perfect Indian rice dish

India is a land of two dozen states with hundreds of languages. Even so, there is a fairly sharp division between Northern India and Southern India, at least in terms of cuisine.

There is plenty of mixing to be sure. But one example of this difference is found in what will accompany the main dish. In Southern India, that is more likely to be some type of rice dish, much less commonly seen in Northern India recipes.

As you would expect in such a diverse and ancient land, there are thousands of rice-based recipes. Nearly every family will have its own distinctive favorite. Here is an example that any diner will enjoy...

Bisi bele baath recipe

Bisi bele baath is a mixture of rice and lentils that forms the staple of many an Indian table. It is rich in traditional Indian spices and is simply delicious with tandoori chicken or all by itself.

Ingredients

Procedure

1. Add the tamarind juice and a cup of water to a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Pour in the rice and vegetables, then sprinkle on the masala mix. Reduce heat to low and cook for 8-20 minutes, according to the directions on the rice package.
2. Once the simmering has boiled away some water, with the rice absorbing the rest, remove from heat. Cover and allow to rest for a few minutes. Some rice recipes require you to boil water, add rice, then cover and steam heat for 20 minutes until all water is absorbed. Follow the directions for your kind of rice.
   

Garam masala recipe

For the truly adventurous, you can make your own garam masala for seasoning or simply buy the mixture pre-made.

Ingredients

Procedure

1. To prepare the masala, ensure that all ingredients, apart from the pastes, are dried. That is usually done by roasting at 475°F (245°C) for about 1/2 an hour.
2. Then use a coffee grinder or spice grinder to crush everything into a very fine powder. Add the powder to the paste and mix well in a large bowl. Add a tablespoon of canola oil to thicken and stir until well blended. For a delicious added sweetness, throw in an inch of cinnamon stick and stir some more.

Cooking Tips

Rice is best served hot, so it is usually prepared near the end of creating other dishes. It can be kept covered for a few minutes if needed. Avoid letting it sit too long, though, since it will 'wilt' unless the pan is uncovered, in which case it dries out too quickly.

Lay the rice onto the plate then top with a tandoori chicken dish for an excellent combination of North and South!

Recipe type

All seasons, side dish, light meal, main meal.