In our recent visit to my relatives, I was able to capture the making of Masala Annam while my relatives were busy ruffling up so many other delicious treats too. Masala Annam is quite famous and much sought out at our home. This rice is mostly made on all special occasions and what better time than a family reunion.
Though I had already blogged about a Masala Annam that my SIL makes, this is yet another variation they have. It was so interesting lugging around with a camera, while they were busy trying to accomplish about 4 -5 different dishes at one go.
I had planned to do a monthly recaps, in hope to keep track of what I am doing. Guess that's only meant to be on plans and not happen. Days are hectic and nights are short. Gone are the times when I was able to burn the midnight lamp and slog on the posts. Somebody said 'Life happens', yes it's quite happening and I am not about to change much.
Coming to the recipe, this is a work of perfection and you will end up with a wonderful meal. The measurement you see was for 20 people, I have scaled down the measurement to as accurate I could get.
Step by Step Picture Recipe:
Rice is done.
Masala Annam ~ Rice Pilaf
Ingredients Needed:
For Masala Paste
Coriander Leaves - 1 cup, tightly packed
Mint Leaves - 1/2 cup, tightly packed
Green chilies - 4 -5 long
Cloves - 3 -4
cinnamon - 3"
Ginger 2"
Garlic - 5 -6 cloves
Coconut - 1/2 cup
For the Rice:
Rice - 2 cups
Onions - 2 medium
Bay Leaves - 3 -4
Cloves - 4
Cinnamon - 3"
Mace / Javitri - 1 big
Anise Star - 2
Curds / Yogurt - 2 -3 tbsp
Salt to taste
Water - 4 cups
Oil - 4 tbsp
For Masala Paste
Coriander Leaves - 1 cup, tightly packed
Mint Leaves - 1/2 cup, tightly packed
Green chilies - 4 -5 long
Cloves - 3 -4
cinnamon - 3"
Ginger 2"
Garlic - 5 -6 cloves
Coconut - 1/2 cup
For the Rice:
Rice - 2 cups
Onions - 2 medium
Bay Leaves - 3 -4
Cloves - 4
Cinnamon - 3"
Mace / Javitri - 1 big
Anise Star - 2
Curds / Yogurt - 2 -3 tbsp
Salt to taste
Water - 4 cups
Oil - 4 tbsp
How to make the Masala Annam / Rice Pilaf
Wash and soak the rice in two times its amount for at least 15 - 20 mins.
For Masala Paste
Wash and drain both mint and coriander leaves.
In a mixer, take all the ingredients expect green chilies, pulse it couple of times till the leaves are finely ground. Finally add the green chilies and pulse it again. The green chilies should not be ground finely, but it should sort of retain it's shape and just be coarsely ground.
For making the rice:
Heat a non stick or wide pan enough to cook the Rice.
Add oil and onion julienne. Saute till the onions start turning colour. Add all the whole spices and saute well.
At this stage add the ground masala paste, and mix well. Add salt and cover, and simmer.
Add the bay leaf, mix well. Then add the curds and again cover to cook in low flame.
At this stage you will see the oil coming out well.
Add water and cover. When the water starts rolling, drain the rice and add to the pan.
Cover and cook in sim. Keep checking in intervals of 10 mins. The rice takes about 20 mins or even less to get done.
Note:
If you want to pressure cook, make sure you add a little less water than 4 cups.
The rice colour is because of the browned onions.
Increase the spice by adding more chilies if you want
Wash and soak the rice in two times its amount for at least 15 - 20 mins.
For Masala Paste
Wash and drain both mint and coriander leaves.
In a mixer, take all the ingredients expect green chilies, pulse it couple of times till the leaves are finely ground. Finally add the green chilies and pulse it again. The green chilies should not be ground finely, but it should sort of retain it's shape and just be coarsely ground.
For making the rice:
Heat a non stick or wide pan enough to cook the Rice.
Add oil and onion julienne. Saute till the onions start turning colour. Add all the whole spices and saute well.
At this stage add the ground masala paste, and mix well. Add salt and cover, and simmer.
Add the bay leaf, mix well. Then add the curds and again cover to cook in low flame.
At this stage you will see the oil coming out well.
Add water and cover. When the water starts rolling, drain the rice and add to the pan.
Cover and cook in sim. Keep checking in intervals of 10 mins. The rice takes about 20 mins or even less to get done.
Note:
If you want to pressure cook, make sure you add a little less water than 4 cups.
The rice colour is because of the browned onions.
Increase the spice by adding more chilies if you want
When Siri wrote to me about Vaidehi Ashram, I remembered the Ashram I used to visit during my college days. It was again an ashram for kids and they even used to have kids just a day old. I used to spend some time and see how I could help. Mostly the kids used to be just happy to get the company. When I first took toffees for the kids, it was not accepted for two reasons, one the kids need to have proper dental care and next they were in need of greater things than toffees. I was moved beyond words, knowing those small kids were denied toffees and small pleasures in life because they didn't have anybody to take care of them.
It's almost 15 years since this incident and I still remember every small detail of my visits. I could understand how Siri was moved to help out the children at the Ashram.
Towards that Siri is organizing Fund Drive to help raise money.
She is also conducting a raffle with wonderful prizes offered by the Food blogger community, which you can bid for. The money, in the form of your bids will directly benefit the Ashram through her.
I am sponsoring "The Encyclopedia of Sandwiches: Recipes, History, and Trivia for Everything Between Sliced Bread" by Susan Russo. The book is shippable worldwide. The details are below.
Code Name: RW5
Description: The Encyclopedia of Sandwiches: Recipes, History, and Trivia for Everything Between Sliced Bread by Susan Russo
Here is how the fund drive works.
1. Buy a Raffle Ticket (or 2 or more)
Each raffle ticket is worth $10 (or Rs.500). You can increase your chances of winning the giveaway by buying more than 1 raffle ticket.
For Example, a donation of $20 will fetch you 2 raffle tickets which can be used to choose on any of the raffle prizes. You can use all your raffle tickets on one prize (in turn increasing the chances in the lucky draw) or on different prizes.
2. How to Buy the Raffle Ticket
Paypal or credit.
Once the donation process is completed, please forward your payment confirmation message to info(dot)siri(at)gmail.com, clearly specifying the raffle prize you are interested in.
Within 24 hours, your name and contributed amount will be added to the ‘Fund Drive Supporters List’. If you want to stay anonymous, please let Siri know in advance. For any correspondence/questions/queries, use the comment section or the email address mentioned.
Details can be found in Fund Drive Supporter's List and the List of Raffle Prizes
I hope you will want to make a difference!
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