Rice and Dal are the most basic part of Indian cooking. I'll list three ways of cooking here, of which one is using the pressure cooker, and the other is open cooking, and the last uses the microwave. If you have the time, I suggest open cooking in the case of rice, since it is much healthier and does not make you fat (since all the starch from the rice is removed, open-cooked rice is low-carb)
RICE
1 cup of rice will usually be just-enough for 2 people, so you might want to make a little more if this is your first time (a cup here is a glass which can hold 200ml of water). If you are using basmati rice, you will need more quantity than if you are using sona masoori or brown rice.
Which rice is the best?
Read our article, which gives a detailed explanation about
identification and selection of rice, with pictures and description of all rice varieties.
Cooking the Rice
The Pressure-Cooker Method
Proportions:
[Basmati Rice]: 1 cup rice, 1 cup water
[Sona Masoori Rice]: 1 cup rice, 2 cups water
Method:
- Wash the rice twice.
- Put the rice into the pressure cooker and add the water.
- Cook on high flame until the first whistle.
- [TIME] Reduce the flame to minimum and cook for 5 minutes.
OR
- [WHISTLE] Reduce the flame and cook until the next whistle.
The Open Cooking Method
- Wash the rice twice.
- Put the rice into the vessel and add about 4 times the water.
- Cook on high flame until it begins boiling and then reduce the flame to let it simmer.
- Do NOT cover the vessel unless you are standing right next to it, or the foam will push the lid over and spill.
Let it boil for about 10-15 minutes, and then start checking the rice.- Inspect the grain of rice - if there is a ridge along the length of the grain, then it is probably cooked. Taste about 1/4 teaspoonful, to make sure that it is cooked properly.
- Cover the vessel with a lid, leaving a narrow gap on one edge. Tilt it in the sink until all the water is drained. The rice is ready to serve.
Optional: You may soak the rice the previous night - this will reduce the cooking time drastically.
The Microwave Method
Proportions:
1 cup rice
2 cups water, heated
Method:
- Wash the rice twice.
- Put the rice and add hot water.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for about 6 minutes.
- Let stand covered for 10 minutes
- Optionally, you could soak the rice for 10 minutes and then microwave it covered for 15 min
DAL
¾ cup of dal will usually suffice 2 people very well. If you like your dal a little thin, then ½ cup of dal might be enough for 2 people.
Identifying the Dals
Read our article, which gives a detailed explanation about
identification and selection of dals, with pictures and description of all dal varieties.
Cooking the DAL
The Pressure-Cooker Method
Ingredients:
[Toor Dal, Masoor Dal or Orange Moong Dal] 1 cup dal,
2½ cups water
1 Tomato (optional)
A pinch of Asafetida (hing)
1 tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
½ tsp chili powder
Salt
Method:- Wash the dal once.
- Put the dal into the pressure cooker and add the water. Add turmeric powder, chili powder and asafetida.
- Cook on high flame until the first whistle.
- [TIME] Reduce the flame to minimum and cook for 5 minutes.
OR- [WHISTLE]Cook on high flame till second whistle, and then reduce flame and cook till third whistle.
- Open the pressure cooker, add chopped tomato and some more water if necessary, and then simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Optionally, you may heat some ghee or butter, add a few cumin or mustard seeds until they splutter, and then pour it into the dal. This adds a delicious flavour.
The Open Cooking Method
- I strongly recommend soaking the dals overnight in this case, since otherwise, the dals take a long time to cook, over half an hour.
- Wash the dal
- Put the dal into the vessel and add about 4 times the water.
- Cook on high flame until it begins boiling and then reduce the flame to let it simmer.
- Let it simmer until the dal and water seem to blend with each other.
- Add salt, turmeric and chilli powder, and season with mustard or cumin seeds as described above.
The Microwave Method
Proportions:
1 cup rice
2½ cups water
Method:
- Wash the dal.
- Put the dal and water in a microwavable dish.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for about 20 minutes.
- Check in the middle and add more water if needed
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Let it boil for about 10-15 minutes, and then start checking the rice.