Moongdal Jeera Rice / Jeera Rice - Easy Lunch Recipes

Today's recipe is one of the easiest, aromatic one pot meal, Moongdal Jeera rice. It's nothing but a regular jeera rice with the addition of moongdal. I love adding jeera/cumin seeds in all my cooking, sambar, rasam, stir fry, curries, kuzhambu, kootu everything I love the flavor and above all it's very good for health n has lots of health benefits. Aids in digestion, heals ulcers n related problems. And also its Antiseptic properties help fight flu, by boosting your immune system. A cup of water boiled with cumin seeds, ginger, basil leaves and honey, can give great relief. Cumin seeds contain a good amount of iron. So, try to make it a point to add a dash of jeera powder or 1/4 tsp cumin seeds in all your cooking.

And when it combines with dal/lentils in any form, like ven pongal, dal tadka, Sambar, Kootu...Mmmm...its divine! I needless to explain the taste n flavor. And another favorite combo, jeera/cumin seeds with potatoes - Aloo Jeera, in which jeera has a very unique flavor and adds much taste to the potatoes.

Here climate is still cold n made me lazy n am not in a mood to cook/clean or to do any work rather want to sit idle . So on one such day I made this easy n simple rice along with Mushroom Paneer Gravy, both paired so good n we loved the combo. Now off to the recipe..

Ingredients

1. Basmati rice      1 cup
2. Moongdal             1 fistful
3. Cumin seeds/Jeera      1 tbsp + 1 tsp
4. Salt                  to taste(but add half salt)
5. Oil/ghee          1 tbsp or less( i used olive oil)

Method

• Wash and soak rice n dal separately for at least 20-30 minutes.
• After that heat oil in a skillet add cumin seeds wait till it splutter then add soaked n drained moong dal and stir fry for 2 minutes.

• And then add soaked n drained rice, again stir fry for another 2 minutes.
• Now add enough water(2cups) and salt and cook covered till done.

• Once the rice is done, gently fluff the rice with fork.
• That's it...simple yet tasty Moongdal Jeera rice ready.
• Traditionally Jeer rice is served with Dal Makhani but We had it with Mushroom Paneer gravy n microwave masala papad:)

Notes:
Adding moongdal is optional but it gives nice flavor n taste, so give it a try!
You can also Do the seasoning in a pan n transfer the content to electric rice cooker.
For even more flavor n taste, add a pinch if shahi jeera along with cumin seeds.
Add half or less salt to the rice since its going to be served with accompaniment which contains enough salt . So add accordingly.
This can be made as a mild Pulao by adding 2cloves, 1"cinnamon, 2cardamom, 1small bay leaf along with cumin seeds and sauté with onions, ginger garlic paste and rice n cook using coconut milk or water.