3-4 small cinnamon sticks
2 Bay leaves, broken into two or three pieces
3-4 cloves
2 small pieces ginger
4 or 5 cloves garlic
(Chop both ginger and garlic, and grind it to a paste with little water.)
1 pod cardamom seeds
2 medium-sized onions, finely chopped
2 medium green chilis
2 bunches cilantro leaves, cut fine
2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
Frozen green peas – just a little (I don’t put too much because it might ruin the taste)
Handful cashews
Handful raisins
2 cups of brown rice
2 cups water
Salt (depends on your taste)
I make the fried rice in two different ways, but this one is the quickest.
- Cook rice first – don’t overcook. Use Basmati rice for best results.
- Pour oil in a large frying pan. Put the cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamom seeds in first – don’t burn it. Add bay leaf – let it sauté for a few seconds in medium heat.
- Add chopped onions. Let the onions become translucent, and then add ginger-garlic paste – mix the paste well with the onions. Keep stirring maybe for 2 to 3 minutes – you will be able to smell the ginger and garlic. Cook on low to medium heat.
- Add chopped green chili, and then add half the cut cilantro (save the other half). Stir the mixture for a few minutes.
- Add peas and a little salt to taste. Stir again for a few seconds.
- Let the mixture cook for a few more minutes, making sure it doesn’t burn. Turn off the stove.
- Meanwhile, take another pan, add a spoon of olive oil and fry cashews and raisins. Again don’t burn it.
- Take the cooked rice and keep it ready to mix it with the mixture. Add the rice to the mixture and mix well.
- After mixing the rice add the cashews raisins. Mix well and then add the rest of the cilantro. There is your delicious fried rice!
