What's on Your Plate? Day #9 Ghee Rice and Korma

This is something I make at least once a month (sometimes twice) as its a family favorite :) As the name suggests Ghee Rice does have a substantial amount of ghee in it, but that can easily be substituted with oil. But Ghee is what lends this dish it’s authentic taste so try not to substitute if possible. Korma is a combination of veggies cooked in a spicy flavorful gravy.

There are several ways to make Ghee Rice & Korma, since it is a fairy popular dish in Karnataka. This is one of the versions. 

Ghee Rice:

You will need:

1 cup Basmati rice, washed and soaked in water for 20 minutes
1/4 cup Ghee
2 Cloves
1” piece Cinnamon
2 Cardamom pods
1 Bay leaf
 1 onion, thinly sliced
3 green chilies slit
1/2 tbsp Ginger Garlic paste
1/2 cup Green peas, fresh or frozen
1/2 cup small cubed Potato (peeled)
1 cup Water
3/4 cup Milk
Salt to taste 

Heat ghee in a pressure cooker. Add the cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and bay leaf. Sautés for 30 seconds. Add the green chilies and sliced onions. Sautés until onions are translucent. Add the ginger garlic paste and saute until fragrant. Now add the green peas and potato. Also add the drained rice. Mix well and add the water, milk and salt. Combine well and close the lid and turn heat to high. Allow the steam to rise, place the cooker weight and turn heat to low. Cook for 9 minutes and turn off heat. Cool for 10-12 minutes, stir the rice and then serve.

Korma:

You will need:

To grind:
1 tsp Cumin seeds
1 tbsp Poppy seeds
3 cloves
1” piece Cinnamon
6 dry red chilies
6 pods Garlic
2 tomatoes, cubed
1/4 cup Cilantro
1/4 cup fresh Coconut, grated

Grind the above ingredients to a smooth paste. Set aside. 

2 cups veggies - Cauliflower florets, cubed potato, green peas
3 tbsp Oil
1 tsp Mustard seeds
6 Curry leaves
1 onion, thinly sliced
Salt to taste
2.5-3 cups water

Heat oil in a pressure cooker. Add mustard seeds and when it begins to splutter add the curry leaves. Add the sliced onions and saute until done. Add the prepared paste and saute for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Now add the veggies and the water.Season with salt and combine well. Place lid with cooker weight and turn heat to high.  Cook for 2-3 whistles. Turn off heat and cool before opening lid. Serve hot with Ghee rice. This makes a great accompaniment for Jeera Rice or Chapatis too.