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by Diana Rattray
The Instant Pot is an excellent way to prepare and cook rice. There’s no stirring required, so you can go about other preparations while the rice cooks to perfection under pressure. This Parsi rice is subtly spiced with a touch of cinnamon and cloves, with caramelized onions adding flavor and color. The Instant Pot is a great modern way to prepare and cook Parsi rice and require very little hands-on time.
I used brown basmati rice (Amazon link) and a 6-quart Smart Wifi Instant Pot (Amazon link) to make this recipe.
The Parsis are descendants of Persian Zoroastrians who emigrated to India. They are a relatively small community with a distinct cuisine that includes a mix of Indian, Iranian, and British flavors.
Some of the staple foods in Zoroastrian cuisine include rice, wheat, lentils, vegetables, herbs, and spices such as saffron, turmeric, cumin, and coriander. Meat is also a significant part of the cuisine, particularly chicken, lamb, and beef, although some Zoroastrians follow a vegetarian or vegan diet.
In addition to the food itself, Zoroastrian cuisine also places emphasis on the way food is prepared and consumed. Zoroastrians believe in the concept of “purity,” and so they take care to prepare their food in clean environments and follow strict dietary guidelines. They also have a tradition of sharing food and hospitality, with large communal meals being a common practice.
How to Serve Parsi Rice
Parsi rice is typically served with a variety of accompaniments, such as raita, a yogurt-based condiment, and pickles. It is also often served with a side of lentil soup, known as dhansak, which is made with vegetables like pumpkin, eggplant, and tomatoes, along with lentils and spices.
Related:
This Instant Pot broccoli and cheese rice is another excellent rice dish for the pressure cooker, or try this coconut rice.
PrintInstant Pot Parsi Brown Rice
This brown rice is subtly spiced and flavored with caramelized onions. The Instant Pot is an excellent modern way to prepare and cook Parsi rice with very little hands-on time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Pressure Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 24 servings
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Rice, Instant Pot, Indian Food
- Cuisine: Parsi/Indian
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ghee or vegetable oil
- 1 onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 2 whole cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 star anise (or a few pods of cardamom)
- 3 black peppercorns
- 3/4 teaspoon sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup long grain brown rice
- 1 1/2 cups water
Instructions
- Choose the Instant Pot sauté button and add the ghee (or oil) to the inner pot. When the ghee is hot, add the sliced onion, cloves, cinnamon stick, star anise, and peppercorns. Cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes, or until the onion is softened. Add the sugar and kosher salt and continue cooking and stirring until the onion is caramelized and golden brown. Remove a few tablespoons of the onion and set aside to use as a garnish.
- Add the rice to the pot along with the water. Stir to blend.
- Secure the lid and turn the steam release knob to the sealing position. Select the pressure cook (or manual) button, high pressure. Set the timer for 24 minutes. When the time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. Carefully turn the knob to the venting position to release the remaining pressure. Cancel the keep warm setting.
- Immediately fluff the rice and remove it to a serving bowl and garnish with the reserved caramelized onions and cilantro or parsley, if desired.