Golden Butter Rice Recipe

Golden Butter Rice is a flavorful and aromatic side dish where rice is cooked in butter with fragrant spices like ginger and turmeric. This method of cooking rice in butter, rather than simply adding butter to cooked rice, brings a rich, nuanced flavor inspired by the traditional Indian drink, golden milk. Here’s how to make this delightful rice dish:

Ingredients of Golden Butter Rice

1 cup basmati rice (or any long-grain rice)
2 cups water
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground turmeric (for the golden color)
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon ground coriander
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
1 cup vegetable or chicken broth (optional, can replace 1 cup of water for added flavor)
Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional for a slight tang)
1 small cinnamon stick (optional for a hint of warmth)

How to Make Golden Butter Rice

- Place the basmati rice in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse under cold running water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming sticky.

- In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.

- Add the finely chopped onion and cook until it becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

- Add the ground turmeric, ground cumin, ground coriander, and the optional cinnamon stick to the saucepan. Stir to combine, allowing the spices to bloom and release their aroma for about 1-2 minutes.

- Add the rinsed rice to the saucepan and stir well to coat the rice with the butter and spices. Toast the rice for about 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until it becomes slightly golden.

- Pour in the 2 cups of water (or 1 cup of water and 1 cup of broth for extra flavor). Add salt and pepper to taste.

- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid and let the rice simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.

- Once the rice is cooked, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it sit, covered, for about 5 minutes.

- Remove the optional cinnamon stick and fluff the rice with a fork.

- Add a teaspoon of lemon juice if desired, and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish.