Basmati Rice Salad

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2001

Show: Emeril LiveEpisode: Indian Barbecue

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (10)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(10)

Cook Time:
40 min
Level:
Intermediate
Yield:
6 to 8 servings

Times:

Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 40 min
Total:: 1 hr 0 min

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Ingredients

2 cups basmati rice
1/2 cup clarified butter or vegetable oil
1 cup chopped yellow onion
2 teaspoons sliced garlic
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
6 cardamom seed pods, crushed to release the small seeds and pods discarded
1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
1 bay leaf
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
3/4 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds
1/2 cup cooked chickpeas, drained
1/2 cup fresh peas, or defrosted frozen peas
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

Place the rice in a colander and rinse under cold running water. Place the rinsed rice in a large bowl and cover with 4 cups of water. Let soak 30 minutes. Drain and reserve the water for cooking.

In a large pot, heat the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger, and cook, stirring, for 45 seconds. Add the cardamom seeds, cinnamon sticks, bay leaf, salt, coriander, pepper, turmeric, cumin, and cayenne, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 45 seconds. Add the rice and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the reserved soaking liquid and raisins, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, stir, cover and simmer until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender, 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit covered for 15 minutes.

Fluff the rice with a fork and transfer to a large bowl. Combine with the remaining ingredients and remove the cinnamon pieces and bay leaf. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Basmati Rice Salad
Anastasia Troy, OH 10-20-2009
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Always a hit!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I've made this recipe many times now, and no matter who I make it for, they love it! Even people who aren't very adventurous... usually enjoy this recipe. The flavor is a little sweet with a pleasant complexity that isn't offputting or strong. The recipe requires a few spices I didn't have in my collection before, cardamom is expensive but a worthwhile addition! I think the tumeric mostly just contributes color, it is a main ingredient in curry so you could possibly substitute that instead. One thing you definitely cannot substitute is the rice- plain white rice is just not the same! A friend of mine wanted to make the recipe and thought she'd just use what she had, but basmati is fragrant and not sticky- so no cheating! Also, the golden raisins are very tasty, I usually add more than what is called for.Read more
recipe Basmati Rice Salad
Tiffany Batavia, NY 12-07-2007
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Great even if you don't like Indian food
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I brought this dish to work for an Indian lunch I was having. It was great, the taste is very subtle so even if you don't... think you would like Indian you might like this. The crunch of the almonds and the plump sweet raisins were teriffic.Read more
recipe Basmati Rice Salad
Patrick Portland, CA 10-07-2007
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Yummy!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I prefer cranberries to raisins, myself. Otherwise, a fantastic recipe!
recipe Basmati Rice Salad
Rebekah San Francisco, CA 11-20-2006
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Yummy!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this for friends and we really enjoyed it! Great recipe!
recipe Basmati Rice Salad
C. Vancleave, MS 09-03-2006
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Disappointing
Rated: 2 stars out of 5

I had high hopes for this recipe, but I found it to be dull and uninteresting with a very generic 'spice' flavor. It wasn't... awful. . .I did eat it, but it's not something I would bother to make again.Read more
recipe Basmati Rice Salad
Shannon Garden Grove, CA 07-06-2006
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Rice
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

This salad was easy to make and had an excellent texture. The only thing it lacked was flavor. The flavor was there, just... not flavorful enough. Next time I make it I will add more of the spices.Read more