Food! Basmati Rice

Well here I am again writing today's post. I was thinking if writing about Basmati rice or writing a review and critique of the Hotel I stayed in Sharm. Anyways I will do this one first and then I will share with you the experience I had in this so called five star hotel. When I was first introduce to this rice I was speechless! The combinations of flavors is so exotic and perfect there is no doubt in my mind that you will love it!

Basmati rice is a long grain rice which is traditionally from India and Pakistan. Here in Egypt the way they showed me to do it is a mix between salt, sweet and crunchy. You can make it just plain white rice or in India they make it with curry of course and they are different recipes out there that are quite delicious. 

In my case I have tried the recipe I am going to share and believe me is b-e-a-utiful! You can serve this with any type of chicken or meat. It really is up to you and what you like. In my case I made lemon chicken in the oven with some carrots and potatoes. Here is the recipe for the basmati rice. 

Basmati Rice 

3 cups of Basmati rice (after washing in water at least three times. Yes this is necessary!) 

1 tablespoon of butter

1 onion diced 

3 Bay leaves

1 cup of raisins (you can use half cup) 

1 cup of peanuts 

1/2 cup of cinnamon sticks

1 tablespoon of powder cinnamon 

4 cups of water 

oil 

salt 

First wash the rice three times or more this is very important this rice I do not now why needs to be wash this way. After you wash it set it aside and fill  a pan with the 4 cups of water. In it boil the peanuts and cinnamon sticks. While the water is heating up to a boil in another pan cover the bottom with oil,  not much just enough to saute the following onion, raisins, bay leaves and butter. Throw all of it inside at the same time and keep steering until onion is translucent. All in medium heat. 

After the onion is ready add the cinnamon powder and mix for a few seconds with the rest of the ingredients by now the smell should be enough to tell you this is good! Sorry moving on put in the rice in the medium heat and keep moving until all the ingredients and the rice are mixed together. Keep moving until the water with the peanuts and cinnamon sticks is boiling. Add the boiling water to the rice and move it should be covering the rice not much but above it. Add salt to your taste and then cover rice and put in low. 

When the water is absorbed move the rice and close the lid again. The rice should be done in about 20-30 minutes. The thing about this rice is that it should be very moist and lose so if is dry you can add a little bit of boiling water while is still cooking. Check it occasionally and if you see that is too dry add a little water. The way I did it it didn't need any water so just in case that is my advice for you. I hope the instructions are clear enough if not please comment and I will help you any way I can! Good cooking! 

After is done serve in a plate and enjoy! Here is a picture of my result and how I served it to my guests! 

Thank you for following and reading me, until next post!