Pls help me save my rice!

npsmama

I once ate this wonderful rice dish made by an African lady.
I tried to recreate it today based on the spices that were in it but it tastes of nothing at all!

Here's what I did:

Heat 2 TB oil in pan. Add 3 bay leaves, 6 cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks, 6 crushed cardamom seeds. fried until smelly.
Added 1ts salt, 1ts tumeric, 1ts onion powder, 1/2cup millet, 1/2cup red lentils and 1c basmati rice. Stirred a bit.
Added 1/2cup coconut milk and 1.5 cups water.
Brought to the boil, then simmered, covered until done (had to add more water).

(The lentils and millet were not in the original recipe)

It's so disappointing though bc it had very little flavour!

Can anyone suggest anything to make it tasty pls?

Thank you

parsonswife8

I would fry some finely sliced onion in a little oil until it starts to colour and then add a bit of medium curry power and stir continually . Turn the heat off and stir in the rice mixture. You could also adjust the seasoning and sprinkle some fresh chopped coriander over the rice.

flissh

No, but I have a great rice recipe,
1 cup rice, wash in cold water as many times as you can be bothered, then soak in clean cold water whilst you ...
fry 1/2 diced onion untill golden brown in a little oil,
Add the drained rice, a crushed garlic clove, a chopped chilli and a tea spoon of garum masala, stir so rice is coated with the oil,
Add 1 and 1/4 cup of chicken stock, give good stir, bring to the boil, then put lid on and reduce heat to the absolute minimum your hob does.

DO NOT LIFT THE LID.

After 12 minutes, turn of the heat, and leave for 10 minutes. AT NO TIME LIFT THE LID!

When the time is up, stir, (the bits of chilli come to the top.) You should have perfect rice. (thanks Madhur Jaffery!)

This works just as well without the spices and oil for plain steamed rice, just start with the rice in the measured amount of cold water.

The only thing that is important is wash the rice, use the correct rice to water, and do not lift the lid.

npsmama

Rice saved by more spices - thank you!

Becky_2

Yesterday when I cooked rice I added a tea spoon of red thai curry paste into the boiling hot water instead of salt and it gave the rice a great taste.

Or what about adding a bit of lemon juice when cooking the rice.