Watermelon rice, also known as “Tarbooj Chawal” in some regions, is a unique dish that combines the sweetness of watermelon with the savory flavors of rice and spices. It’s a popular summer dish in some parts of India. Here’s a simple recipe to make watermelon rice:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups basmati rice (washed and soaked for 30 minutes)
- 2 cups watermelon cubes (seedless)
- 1 onion (finely chopped)
- 1 tomato (chopped)
- 2-3 green chilies (slit lengthwise)
- 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
- Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
Instructions:
1. Cooking Rice:
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil.
- Drain the soaked rice and add it to the boiling water.
- Cook the rice until it is 70-80% done. It should be firm but mostly cooked. Drain the rice and set it aside.
2. Preparing Watermelon:
- Remove the seeds from the watermelon cubes and chop them into small pieces. Set aside.
3. Making Watermelon Rice:
- Heat oil or ghee in a pan or kadai over medium heat.
- Add cumin seeds and mustard seeds. Let them splutter.
- Add chopped onions and sauté until they turn translucent.
- Add slit green chilies and ginger-garlic paste. Sauté for another minute.
- Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they turn mushy.
- Now, add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt. Mix well and cook for a minute.
- Add the chopped watermelon pieces and mix gently. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the watermelon becomes slightly soft.
- Add the partially cooked rice to the pan. Gently mix everything together, taking care not to break the rice grains.
- Cover the pan with a lid and let the rice cook on low heat for another 5-7 minutes until it’s completely cooked and the flavors are well absorbed.
- Once done, turn off the heat and let the rice sit covered for a few minutes.
- Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
4. Serving:
- Fluff the rice gently with a fork.
- Serve hot watermelon rice with raita or any side dish of your choice.
Tips:
- Make sure to use seedless watermelon for this recipe.
- Adjust the quantity of green chilies and red chili powder according to your spice preference.
- You can add other vegetables like bell peppers or peas to enhance the nutritional value and taste of the dish.
- Fresh mint leaves can be added for extra freshness and flavor.
- Serve watermelon rice hot or warm for the best taste.
