Challaw Cardamom And Cumin Basmati Rice Recipes

INDIAN STYLE BASMATI RICE

Steps:

• Place rice into a bowl with enough water to cover. Set aside to soak for 20 minutes.
• Heat the oil in a large pot or saucepan over medium heat. Add the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, and cumin seed. Cook and stir for about a minute, then add the onion to the pot. Saute the onion until a rich golden brown, about 10 minutes. Drain the water from the rice, and stir into the pot. Cook and stir the rice for a few minutes, until lightly toasted. Add salt and water to the pot, and bring to a boil. Cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 15 minutes, or until all of the water has been absorbed. Let stand for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork before serving.

CHALLAW (CARDAMOM AND CUMIN BASMATI RICE)

Steps:

• In a large pot with a lid, bring 8 1/2 cups water to a boil over high heat. Meanwhile, drain the rice in a large fine-mesh sieve or colander and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. Add the rice and 1 tablespoon kosher salt (or 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt or fine salt) to the boiling water. Boil uncovered, until the grains seem to have doubled in length, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan or kettle, bring 1 1/2 cups of water to a boil and keep at a simmer. Place the cardamom pods on a cutting board and lightly crack them with the side of a large knife.
• Drain the parboiled rice in the sieve or colander and return the rice to the pot. Add the cracked cardamom pods and any seeds that may have popped out, the cumin seeds and 1 tablespoon kosher salt (or 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt or fine salt). Mix gently to combine, taking care to not break the rice grains. Drizzle with the oil and the just-boiled water from the saucepan, and stir gently to coat the rice.
• Cover the pot and cook over high heat until steam escapes from beneath the lid, 3 to 6 minutes. This is a critical step in preparing the rice to avoid overcooking it. Once you see the steam, reduce the heat to low and cook until the rice is tender and all the water is gone, another 20 minutes. Serve immediately.

BADEMJAN KEBAB

Steps:

• Make the bieh: In a food processor, pulse the walnuts and hazelnuts until very finely ground, then set nuts aside in a small bowl. Add the cilantro, parsley, chives, mint, sorrel, onion and garlic to the food processor, and purée into a fine paste. (You should have about 1 1/4 cups herb paste.)
• In a 10-inch nonstick skillet, heat up the neutral oil over high until shimmering, then lower heat to medium and add the herb paste and ground nuts. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring frequently to evaporate the water from the mixture. Stir in the turmeric, paprika, hogweed (if using), 2 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and cook for another 5 minutes.
• Stir in the sour plum molasses and pomegranate molasses, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the mixture is dry and looks like it might stick or burn, add a few tablespoons of water at a time to help (up to 1/2 cup total).
• Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Lower stove heat to medium-low and keep cooking the bieh, stirring occasionally, for an additional 15 to 20 minutes. The bieh is done when it's a very thick, dark paste. Adjust salt and pepper to taste, if needed. Place bieh in a bowl and set aside. (You should have 2 1/2 packed cups.)
• Prepare the eggplant: Slice all the eggplant in half lengthwise and divide among two sheet pans. Drizzle each with olive oil and toss to coat, then arrange cut-side up. Sprinkle with sumac and season with salt and pepper. Roast 20 minutes, until eggplant is halfway cooked but still holding its shape.
• Remove eggplant from the oven and spoon 3 to 4 tablespoons of bieh on top of each eggplant half, spreading it evenly; you should use up all the bieh. Roast for another 12 minutes, or until the eggplant is completely tender but still holding its shape.
• Garnish the eggplant with more chopped herbs, barberries, sprouts or pomegranate seeds. If eating as a main, serve with plain or turmeric basmati rice.

CHALLOW (WHITE RICE)

Steps:

• Begin rinsing the rice 1/2 hour before you are ready to start cooking it. Place the rice in a large fine sieve. Run under cold water, shaking the grains, until the water runs clear.
• Drain well and place in large bowl. Fill the bowl with cold water over the level of the rice. Let stand for 30 minutes.
• Pre-heat the oven to 350°F.
• Add the water to a Dutch oven and sprinkle with a little of the salt. Bring the water to a boil. Drain the rice and add the additional water to the pot.
• Stir in the rice all at once and stir one time. Bring back to a boil and cook about 7 minutes, or until rice is soft to the bite. Drain and return to pot.
• In a small bowl, dissolve the remaining salt in hot water. Add the oil to the salt water and mix well. Add this mixture to the rice, using a back and forth motion, until the rice is covered.
• Add the cumin seeds and cardamom.
• Using a wide, flat wooden spoon, mix by lifting a section of the rice and shaking back into the pot. Repeat until the whole mixture is covered with oil and the spices have been well mixed throughout the rice.
• Bring the rice into a slight mound in the middle of the pot. With the spoon handle, make 4 holes around the outer edge of the mound, and one in the center. The rice needs these holes for ventilation.
• Place the tight fitting lid on the pot and place in oven. Bake for 30 minutes. Turn off the oven and let the rice sit inside the cooling oven for 20-30 minutes.
• Uncover and mix as you did previously, by shaking sections of the rice back into the pot until the grains are separated.