Cumin rice

An easy way to spice up your plain rice.

1 cup Basmati rice
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
0.5 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter)
2 cups water
salt and a dash of lime juice to taste. add some turmeric for color.

Heat ghee in a large heavy-bottomed vessel for about 2 minutes.
Add the cumin seeds and fry for 2 minutes till the seeds splutter.
Add the rice, lime juice, water, turmeric and salt. Mix well. Bring to boil on high heat. Reduce heat and cook covered on low level for 15 minutes till all water evaporates.

Serve with dahl.

Garjarela (sweet carrot dessert)

I haven't cooked much in the previous months but during the Sikh Vaisakhi festival in Amsterdam I stumbled upon a great tasting desert. It turns out to be garjarela and it's really easy to make. I haven't tried it yet, but will soon.

Ingredients
10 large carrots, peeled and grated
7 tbsp butter
5 cloves
green cardamom, crushed
a small piece of cinnamon sticks
75 ml milk
115 g granulated sugar


Method
1. Bring a pan of water to the boil. Add in the grated carrots and simmer for 10 minutes. Drain into a colander.

2. Melt the butter in a pan with the cloves, cardamom and cinnamon on a very low heat.

3. Add the milk and stir well.

4. When you can smell the cardamom, add the sugar.

5. Stir until the sugar has dissolved and then add in the drained carrots.

6. Cook gently, stirring, until the liquid has cooked off, around 5 minutes.

7. Cover and cook on a very low heat for 15 minutes.