Let's make curry!

Ghee (entirely of saturated fat) or Indian clarified butter is very popular in India and is used largely in cooking sweets and other delicacies. To make your own pot of ghee simmer some solids on the bottom of the pan. This can be stored in an airtight container and doesn’t need refrigeration. Basmati rice grown widely in India is known for its characteristic fragrance, taste and quality. The grains of this rice are longer than the others and the cooked rice are nice and fluffy rather than sticky. The best way to cook it is to bring a large pot of water to boil and adding a little salt and then add the washed rice and cook till 90% done and drain.

Ghee Rice (Rice with clarified butter and spices)

Ingredients
1 cup Basmati rice 
2-3 Green cardamom

1 stick Cinnamon

1 Bay leaf

1 Star anise

Salt

3tbsp Ghee

1 clove Garlic grated

1 tbsp Cumin seeds

1 or 2 Dry Red chillies
Method:

Cook the washed basmati rice in a big pot of boiling water with salt, cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaf and star anise until 90% done and drain. Heat ghee in a pan and add the cumin and chillies. Now add the drained rice to the pan and stir to coat all the rice with ghee (keep fluffing the rice with a fork).Serve hot with a curry of your choice.
Dal Fry (Lentils in a gravy)

Ingredients

1cup Split-Pigeon Peas or Toor Dal

1 yellow Onion finely chopped

1 Vine Tomato chopped

1 tbsp Tomato paste

1 glove Garlic grated

1 small piece Ginger grated

2-3 green chillies (depending on how spicy you want your lentils)

Salt to taste

1 tsp Turmeric powder

½ tsp Curry powder or Garam masala

Cilantro for garmish

1tsp Cumin seeds for seasoning

1-2 tbsp Ghee
Method:
Cook the lentils until completely done (I like to cook this in a pressure cooker with 2 cups of water). Heat ghee in a pan and add the cumin seeds and let it splutter. Now sauté the onions for a few min and add the grated ginger and garlic followed by tomato and tomato paste. Sauté for a few minutes and add turmeric powder, curry powder, salt and what you will have is a nice paste. Now add the cooked and mashed lentils (add a little water if you feel it is thick). Let it simmer for 5-8 min. Add some chopped cilantro for garnish and serve hot with rice.