Creating a blog was out of the question for a long time for me, as measuring everything in the kitchen was like biting into an eggshell. I enjoy cooking and don’t want to waste even a slightest bit of enjoyment in that small world of mine. But little did I know that everything will change, when my husband came home with the Oscar nominated film ‘Julie and Julia’( a real life story) where Julie Powell (part played by Amy Adams) challenged herself to make all the 524 recipes from Julia Child's cook book ‘Mastering the Art of French Cooking’ and blogging all her experiences (The Julie/Julia Project). It was an inspiring movie. A few days later when we were discussing this casually with a friend of ours over tea…everything changed dramatically…..” How about you making at least half of it in one year? Not French but your own. 262 recipes that will inspire others and present it as a blog?” For a minute my mind traveled faster than light… With an experience as a helper in my mother in laws kitchen for 6 years followed by a three year everyday struggle to satisfy the palate of my foodie husband, if I cannot do it then why should I cook? But on the other side with an experience in English literature extending no more than expanding outline stories in English grammar class when I was 18 and two small kids that come in handy at times, will a commitment for the next one year work? Anyway my ‘cook's ego’ didn’t allow me to say no...

So my friends …here I am opening my recipe book, trying to perfect and present 262 recipes in the coming 365 days….A Challenge that will of course tastes good. Come.. Have a walk with me along my journey.. Cheering and inspiring….Forgiving and tolerating…Testing and tasting….for ‘A Tasty Challenge’

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Sunday, June 27, 2010

Ghee Rice/ Neychor

Recipe No: 45
Growing up this used to be ‘the rice’ my mother used to make for all the special occasions. We all at home totally adored this. I love to eat this without any sides and I should say, it tastes better the next day. 
Ingredients                                             Serves 6 Adults
  • Basmati rice……………………..3 cups
  • Whole Spices……………………10 Cardamom, 10 Cloves, 2 Star Anise and 4 1" Cinnamon sticks
  • Water……………………………….6 cups
  • Ghee………………………………..4 Tablespoons
  • Salt…………………………………..3/4-1 Tablespoons (according to your taste)
  • Cashew nuts and Raisins ….4 Tablespoons each
  • Thinly Sliced Onion…………..1 Cup
  • Oil for deep frying Onions (at least 1 cup)
Method of Preparation
  1. Wash and drain the Basmati rice properly.
  2. In a hot pan add two tablespoons of Ghee and fry the Cashew nuts, when it starts to brown on the edges add the raisins and fry till it is plumped. Remove this and keep aside for later use.
  3. To the remaining Ghee, add Whole Garam Masala and fry till fragrant.
  4. Add the rice and mix for a minute and add water. (Use water at room temperature.)
  5. Add the salt, cover it and let it boil. Once boiled, lower the temperature to minimum and let it cook.
  6. In the mean time in another pan heat the oil and deep fry the onions.  ( I mix the Onions with 1/2 teaspoon of cornflour just before dropping it in the oil. This will reduce the amount of oil absorbed by the onions…I learned this from vahrehvah.com.) When golden brown remove this and drain the excess oil by keeping it on a paper towel. Instead of deep fried Onions you can also use sauteed onions.
  7. When the level of the water in the rice is reduced to the level of the rice, add fried Onions, Cashew nuts, Raisins and the rest of the Ghee on top of the rice, cover it again and let it cook until all the water is absorbed.
  8. When the water is absorbed, switch off the flame, fluff it once and keep the rice covered for 30 minutes before serving.
 





Make it, enjoy the deliciousness and 
serve it to your family with love…

4 comments:

Unknown said...

This tasted good and my son like it a lot.

Asha said...

Thanks Annette

Milgy said...

Hello Asha,

I tried this a while ago and it was really yummy :)

Next on my list is the christmas fruit cake.. I soaked the dried fruits in brandy today...hope it turns out half as good as yours :)

Asha said...

Thank you Milgy... Go ahead with your fruit cake idea...
Thanks for giving the comment too....

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