Why add Turmeric to Rice while Cooking?

Rice is a staple food all over India. It is eaten as a main dish, with a variety of dals, curries, and is even used in a few sweet dishes. Who doesn’t like Pulao, Fried rice, paella, or Biryani? The options are innumerable. But here’s why we Indians add turmeric to rice!

Rice is a cereal grain and a staple food item for about half of this world’s population, especially in many parts of Asia and Africa. It has been a part of people’s diet for thousands of years, and the debate as to whether Asian Rice (Oryza sativa) originated in China or India has not yet been settled because Archaeologists on both sides are claiming dibs.

The African (Oryza glaberrima) rice is a much newer species though still over 3000 years old. But as rice spread across different continents, it was the Asian Oryza Sativa rice that was cultivated and there are now over 40,000 rice varieties or rice cultivars across the planet.

Here in India, rice is a staple ingredient in our diet and we eat almost on a daily basis along with other flatbreads called chapatis or puris. Rice can be cooked in many ways and goes really well with out traditional East Indian pickle. But you’re probably wondering why we add turmeric to rice, aren’t you?

Why Add Turmeric To Rice?

Turmeric contains curcumin, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound. It’s said to be good at relieving arthritis, PMS symptoms, reducing cholesterol, fighting diabetes, preventing Alzheimer’s, and a lot more. Ask your nutritionist for specific information.

Over here in India, we add turmeric to almost everything we eat. We even use it as a skin rub for cleansing sometimes. Coughs and colds are treated with a special kadha tea that’s a mix of spices and turmeric. It may not be a superfood, but turmeric is very good for everyone. So adding it to rice just makes sense.

And another reason we add turmeric to rice is for the lovely natural yellow color it imparts. What’s pleasing to the eyes goes down better in the tummy. Haha!

Turmeric Rice is a really simple dish to cook and does have some nutritional value as well. So let’s find out how haldi rice is prepared.

What do you need to make Rice?

Other than the white rice, all you need is salt and water. Turmeric (Haldi) is a great add-on.

How to make non sticky Rice at home?

If you grow up in India, you’ll have grown up with your mom telling you to rinse and wash the white rice to remove the excess starch. This gets the fattening starch out and also helps you create perfectly separate individual grains of rice, just like the many ads for rice in India. Sticky rice, that’s a no-no over here! Chapku rice, no way! Fluffy separate grains of rice! That is perfect!

Anyways, after washing the starch out of the rice, put it in a steel vessel, add water and salt and bring it to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add the rice and boil on a medium flame. And lastly, add the turmeric powder.

When do you add turmeric to rice? When the water for the rice is already boiling. Not before that!

Stir the rice a few times so that it does not stick to the bottom and it cooks equally. After about 10 to 15 mins, check on the rice and squish a few grains between 2 fingers to see if its cooked. If it still a bit hard, continue to boil it. If it is squishy, then your rice is ready.

Turn the stove off, cover the vessel with a lid or strainer, and drain out all of the water.

And your fluffy individual grains of haldi rice aka turmeric rice are ready to be served!

Cooking Tips Or Tricks

• Quick and easy to make, turmeric rice requires just 3 main ingredients, while the rest are optional add-ons.
• Rinse the rice a few times before you start cooking to remove any dirt and husks. Even if the rice is clean we still rinse it to remove the excess starch.
• If you want plain boiled white rice, do not add the turmeric (Haldi) powder.
• You can also add Bay leaves or Star Anise to the water while boiling for additional flavour. My mom uses both of these together too!
• If you’re serving the yellow rice for a party, top it with a tablespoon of Indian clarified butter aka ghee. This gives it a really nutty flavor!
• You could also sprinkle chopped fresh coriander on top.
• When using our traditional method to rinse the rice, the salt drains with the excess water and the rice is left with a low amount of salt. 
• Another option is this – after draining the rice, fry the rice with ghee or butter, along with cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves.
• You can add peas, veggies, or meats with a little oil or ghee or butter to boiled rice and turn it into a complete dish on its own.
• You can also add raisins to the rice.
• Or garnish with fresh coriander and serve with sliced tomatoes and wedding pickle.
• To make a rice pulao, add veggies like carrots, green peas, and chopped boiled potatoes.
• You might also like the recipes for burnt onion rice, rice with turmeric, or plain coriander rice.
• Want to serve it with a rice dessert – try the white choco mamra, dark choc mamra, or the dark choc coconut bites.

What To Serve With Turmeric Rice?

Serve the turmeric rice with moong dal, masoor dal, mustard chicken, green chutney, corn cabbage veggies, goat trotters curry, mutton lonvas curry, or spicy tomato pickle. You can literally serve rice with almost any dish!

Questions About Cooking Rice With Turmeric Powder

Is Rice Naturally White?

No, all rice is naturally brown. There is a process that removes the outer layers that makes it white.

Can Cooked Rice Be Reheated?

Yes, rice can be reheated, but make sure it is piping hot and do not reheat it more than once. Also, add in a little water while reheating – this makes sure the rice doesn’t get dry.

Can Cooked Rice Be Refrigerated?

Yes, plain boiled rice can be kept in a fridge for about 4 – 7 days. If the rice has other ingredients such as peas, fried onions, or boiled veggies, then not more than 2 to 3 days max.

Can Cooked Rice Be Frozen?

Yes, you can store leftover cooked rice in an airtight container if you want to eat it another time. It will stay edible for months. Reheat with a few spoons of water before serving.

Can You Add Turmeric Powder To Cooked Rice?

No, you shouldn’t add turmeric to cooked rice after preparing it as it won’t absorb the turmeric. It’s always best to add the turmeric while cooking the rice.

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