If you've ever found yourself overwhelmed by the task of cooking rice, fret no more! The Instant Pot revolution has arrived, offering an easy, foolproof way to make delicious brown rice that you can customize to suit your palate. Here are five simple yet ingenious methods to cook Indian Instant Pot Brown Rice that are bound to impress your taste buds.
1. Classic Indian-Style Brown Rice
This method offers the quintessential, traditional Indian flavor that complements any meal from butter chicken to dal makhani.
- 1 cup brown rice, rinsed
- 1 ¼ cup water
- 1 tbsp ghee or oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- A pinch of salt
How to Cook:
- Select "Sauté" on your Instant Pot and melt the ghee or heat the oil.
- Add cumin seeds; let them splutter.
- Stir in the rinsed rice and sauté for a minute.
- Add water, salt, mix, and cancel the sauté mode.
- Secure the lid, set to sealing, and select "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" for 20 minutes.
- Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes before quick-releasing any remaining pressure.
- Fluff with a fork and serve hot.
💡 Note: Use natural pressure release for fluffy rice; quick release may result in slightly undercooked or clumpy rice.
2. Lemon Brown Rice
For a tangy twist, opt for Lemon Brown Rice, perfect with fish or as a side to a light curry.
- 1 cup brown rice, rinsed
- 1 ¼ cup water
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1-2 dried red chilies
- A pinch of turmeric and salt
- 2 tbsp chopped coriander
How to Cook:
- Sauté mustard seeds and chilies in oil using "Sauté" mode.
- Add rinsed rice, sauté briefly, then incorporate water, lemon juice, zest, turmeric, and salt.
- Pressure cook for 22 minutes with a natural pressure release.
- Fluff and garnish with coriander before serving.
3. Spiced Brown Rice with Nuts
Bring extra texture and an exotic flair to your rice with this spiced and nutty version.
- 1 cup brown rice, rinsed
- 1 ¼ cup water or vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp ghee or oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- ¼ tsp cinnamon powder
- ¼ tsp cardamom powder
- 2 cloves, whole
- ¼ cup chopped nuts (cashews or almonds)
- Salt to taste
How to Cook:
- Heat ghee/oil using "Sauté" mode, add spices to bloom for 30 seconds.
- Include rice and nuts, mix, then add water or broth and salt.
- Pressure cook for 22 minutes, natural release, and fluff.
🌰 Note: Watch nuts closely to prevent burning; they can go from perfect to charred quickly.
4. Herb and Green Chili Rice
This vibrant, herby rice is ideal for vibrant Indian meals or as an accompaniment to grilled dishes.
- 1 cup brown rice, rinsed
- 1 ¼ cup water or vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp ghee or oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 3-4 green chilies, slit
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- ½ cup mint and cilantro, chopped
- Salt to taste
How to Cook:
- Sauté cumin seeds, chilies, and ginger in ghee/oil using "Sauté" mode.
- Add rice, sauté, then incorporate water or broth, herbs, and salt.
- Pressure cook for 22 minutes, natural release, and fluff.
5. Coconut Brown Rice
Looking for something tropical and decadent? This Coconut Brown Rice is your answer, pairing beautifully with seafood or spicy curries.
- 1 cup brown rice, rinsed
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 tbsp coconut oil or ghee
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 sprig of curry leaves
- A pinch of asafoetida
- 1-2 dried red chilies
- Salt to taste
How to Cook:
- Heat oil or ghee in "Sauté" mode, add mustard seeds, chilies, asafoetida, and curry leaves to sizzle.
- Stir in rice, then add water, coconut milk, and salt.
- Pressure cook for 20 minutes, natural release, and fluff.
In the realm of Indian cuisine, rice is not merely a side dish but an essential component that elevates the flavors of accompanying dishes. With these five innovative recipes, you're not just cooking rice; you're crafting an experience. From the aromatic simplicity of cumin to the luxurious taste of coconut, each method enriches brown rice with distinct flavors that marry well with a plethora of Indian dishes. Whether it's your dinner with friends or a cozy family meal, the Instant Pot ensures that your brown rice is always fluffy, perfectly cooked, and infused with the essence of India.
Can I make these recipes with white rice instead?
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Yes, you can adapt these recipes to use white basmati or other varieties of white rice. Adjust cooking time to 5-7 minutes for pressure cooking and use a 1:1 ratio of rice to liquid.
Is there a vegetarian or vegan substitute for ghee?
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Absolutely, use plant-based oils like coconut oil or a good quality vegan butter substitute in place of ghee.
Can I freeze cooked Instant Pot brown rice?
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Yes, you can freeze cooked brown rice. Spread it out to cool before placing it in a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to six months.
