Easy Masala Rice Recipe: 3 Tips for Making Masala Rice

Masala rice consists of steamed basmati rice tossed in a mixture of sautéed onion, simmered tomatoes, spices, and fresh green chili. Some recipes include additional vegetables.

Like fried rice, masala rice is a quick and easy way to reuse leftover cooked rice, but it’s also a worthy destination for fresh rice.

Masala rice is a popular lunch box recipe, but like any Indian rice dish, such as biryani or pulao, it also makes a great vegetarian main course. Here are a few ways to serve it:

1. 1. With assorted condiments: Serve masala rice with a yogurt relish, like raita, and assorted condiments, such as chutneys and pickles.
2. 2. With flatbreads: You can pair masala rice with simple flatbreads like fresh chapati (roti) or fried crispy papadum.
3. 3. With tikka dishes or dal: Serve masala rice as a side dish alongside roasted or grilled dishes, like paneer tikka or chicken tikka, or dal, a savory lentil stew.

Recipes for masala rice vary by personal preference: Use what you have in your pantry or refrigerator. Incorporate tomatoes into the recipe for moisture, or add a few cups of water or broth as needed. Here are a few other tips to consider:

1. 1. Temper the whole spices: Tempering whole spices in hot oil or ghee releases their flavors most efficiently. Alternatively, powdered spices are more delicate—add them in the final moments of cooking for best results.
   
2. 2. Use vegetables: Add veggies to masala rice—like shelled peas, corn, diced carrots, or summer squash—for extra texture and flavor.
3. 3. Fry the rice first to add texture: Fry the cooked rice in the hot ghee or oil before building the masala mixture for added crispiness. Press the rice into an even layer in the skillet, and allow the kernels to toast, undisturbed, for a few minutes until the bottom is golden brown and crisp. Stir to break up into larger pieces, then transfer the rice to a large bowl and set it aside.