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Festive basmati rice in a white bowl on a yellow background
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Manjulika’s Festive Basmati Rice

Festive Basmati Rice brings together basmati rice, nuts, dried fruit, and warm spices in one delicious dish that's perfect for the holidays.
Course Rice Side Dish
Cuisine Indian
Keyword basmati rice, basmati rice recipe, basmati rice with dried fruit, festive basmati rice, festive basmati rice recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 547kcal
Author Althea Brown

Equipment

  • Heavy Pot

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter or ghee
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 1 teaspoon cloves
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cardamom pods
  • 1/2 cup almonds slivered or sliced
  • 1 cup golden raisins rinsed
  • 1/2 cup apricots 10-12, chopped (optional_
  • 2 cups basmati rice washed
  • 4 cups water

Instructions

  • Melt the butter or ghee on medium-high heat, in a large stock pot or cast iron dutch oven or skillet. Then add fennel seeds, cloves, cinnamon sticks and cardamom and cook for 3 minutes.
  • Next add the raisins and nuts and cook for 5 minutes stirring often. Then add the rice and mix together well letting the rice toast for about 3 minutes.
  • Add water and leave uncovered until liquid comes to a roaring boil. Then reduce heat to low, cover and let simmer until rice is fully cooked about 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Once rice is cooked, add chopped dried apricots (if using), fluff with a fork and serve hot.

Notes

  1. Coconut oil works really well as a dairy free substitute for the butter and give the rice a subtle coconut flavor. 
  2. You can swap the almonds for cashews in this recipe. 

Nutrition

Calories: 547kcal | Carbohydrates: 111g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 314mg | Potassium: 561mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 380IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 122mg | Iron: 2mg