India Spiced Rice With Pumpkin Seeds Recipes

SPICY INDIAN RICE

Steps:

• Fry the onions in the sunflower oil in a large frying pan for 10-12 minutes until golden.
• Fill a roomy saucepan with water, bring to the boil and tip in a heaped teaspoon of salt - the water will bubble furiously. Add turmeric and the cinnamon stick to the water. Pour in the rice, stir once and return to the boil, then turn the heat down a little so that the water is boiling steadily, but not vigorously. Boil uncovered, without stirring (this makes for sticky rice) for 10 minutes. Lift some out with a slotted spoon and nibble a grain or two. If they're too crunchy, cook for another minute and taste again. They should be tender but with a little bite. Drain the rice into a large sieve and rinse by pouring over a kettle of very hot water
• Stir the crushed seeds of the cardamom pods into the onions with the cumin seeds and fry briefly.
• Toss in a large handful of sultanas and roasted cashew nuts, then the hot drained rice. This is great with curry and will also give an exotic edge to grilled meat or fish.

GREEN RICE WITH TOASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS

Steps:

• In 8-inch skillet, heat pumpkin seeds and 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until seeds are lightly toasted. (Watch carefully-they can burn quickly.) Use slotted spoon to remove pumpkin seeds from pan and cool on paper towel-lined plate.
• In food processor or blender, puree cilantro, parsley, bell pepper, onion, garlic, chile, salt, cumin and water until smooth; set aside.
• In 3-quart saucepan, heat 3 tablespoons oil over medium heat until hot. Add rice and cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly translucent around edges. Add pureed liquid and heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 20 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed. Fluff with fork and stir in pumpkin seeds. Serve hot.

WILD RICE WITH PUMPKIN SEEDS

Steps:

• In a small skillet, grill pumpkin seeds at medium heat for 8 minutes or until they begin to smell. (You can do this step earlier and put in an hermetic container. They will preserve up to 24 hours at room temperature).
• Meanwhile, in a big casserole with boiling salted water, cook rice covered for about 1 hour or until tender and grains begin to open. Drain and set aside.
• In the same casserole, melt the butter at medium heat. Add onions, carrots, celery, bell pepper, salt and pepper and cook, stirring often, for 7 minutes. Add the reserved rice. (you can do the rice, let cool and cover until next day. Add 2 tablespoon of water before to reheat.) Reheat. Add grilled pumpkin seeds and stir.

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.

INDIAN-SPICED PUMPKIN

Steps:

• Scrape out flesh from roasted pumpkin.
• In a skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil. Add fennel, cumin, and red-pepper flakes. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add pumpkin and maple syrup. Cook for 1 minute, mashing to combine. Add butter and stir. Serve immediately.