Masala Rice Recipe Indian Style – Masala Rice With Caramelized Onions (Without Other Vegetables)

Masala Rice Recipe Indian – South Indian Style Masala Rice Recipe For Lunch & Dinner 

This masala rice recipe Indian style is my version of an easy and simple masala rice recipe with lots of exotic spices and it is made without vegetables but only onions. I made this delicious rice inspired by the preparation of Kerala style ghee rice. See exotic ghee rice recipe here. I used two onions in this masala rice recipe, one which is added with the rice while it was getting cooked, and one for caramelizing and topping the rice in the final stage.

I used an iron skillet to finish the cooking of rice (which I will explain in the instructions) you may also use an iron pan or skip this step if you don’t have them.

You can gently mix in this caramelized onions after the rice is prepared, which will add the most delicious flavor to the rice. And the caramelized onions are not just added like, they are blended with exotic Indian spices and this caramelized onion masala is added to the rice.

So here is how I made this delicious masala rice following this masala rice recipe Indian style.

First let us see the ingredients to prepare the rice, then let us see the ingredients to prepare the masala for topping and then we will go to the instructions where I will explain the process step by step.

Ingredients for masala rice recipe Indian style

• White basmati rice 1 Cup
• Onion 1 medium sized
• Water 3 Cups
• salt as required
• ginger garlic paste 2 to 3 tablespoons
• cardamom pods 2 to 3
• cinnamon sticks 2 small
• cloves 2 to 3
• star anise 1
• bay leaf 1 or 2
• Oil 2 to 3 tablespoon (or more as required)
• turmeric powder 1 teaspoon
• red chili powder 1 teaspoon
• cumin seeds powder a pinch
• black pepper powder 1/2 teaspoon
• garam masala powder 2 teaspoons

Ingredients To Prepare The Masala For Garnishing (topping) – please don’t skip this as it really add flavor to the masala rice

• Cashew nuts a handful
• Onion 1 ( for caramelizing)
• Oil 4 to 5 tablespoons (for frying cashews and caramelizing onions)
• turmeric powder 1 teaspoon
• red chili powder 1 teaspoon
• garam masala powder 1 teaspoon
• cumin seeds powder a pinch

Instructions For Make Masala Rice Indian Style Recipe

• Chop the onion and saute it in a pan with 2 tablespoons of oil and enough salt until it is transparent in color or slightly browned. Keep this sauteed onion aside.
• Wash the rice and soak in water for about 30 minutes.
• After 30 minutes of soaking, drain the water and keep the rice aside.
• Ina large pan, heat the oil and add the following spices – cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon sticks, bay leaf and star anise and fry for a few seconds.
• Add the rice to the pan, add salt and saute for another 1 minute.
• Add ginger garlic paste and mix well.
• Add the sauteed onions to this rice mix, and stir everything well.
• Add all the spices (turmeric, red chili powder, cumin seeds powder, black pepper powder and garam masala powder) to the rice onion mixture, and saute well for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Meanwhile boil the water in another pan.
• As the water starts boiling, add the boiling water to the rice and mix well.
• Close the pan and cook in very low heat for about 10 to 12 minutes or until all water is absorbed.
• After 10 to 12 minutes of cooking, check to see if the rice is cooked and soft. Even if the rice is only half cooked (it may happen depending on the stove) you don’t have to worry as our next step will take care of it.
• Heat an iron skillet and place the pan (which has the rice) on top of it and cover the pan with lid. Cook in low to medium heat for about 5 to 8 minutes or until the rice is perfectly cooked and have the right texture, stirring occasionally.
• Once the rice is done, you can switch off the stove and keep it closed.

Now the rice is ready, we need to prepare the toppings for the rice including caramelizing the onions and frying the cashews.

• Chop the onion for caramelizing, keep aside.
• In a small pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil and fry the cashews.
• You can mix this fried cashews with the prepared rice.
• In the same pan, add the chopped onion and saute until the onion is well caramelized. This will some time, but you have to stir only occasionally until its almost done.
• After caramelizing the onions, add the salt and spices, mix well. Now the caramelized onion masala is ready.
• You can either mix this with the rice or spread this over the rice to garnish the rice, and your masala rice is ready to be served.

 Serve the delicious masala rice as it is or you can serve it with fresh yogurt, raitha or any savoury side dishes as you wish. I served this masala rice with Kerala style roasted egg masala which was very delicious!