Watermelon rice is getting too popular in the Indian media after it was featured on Masterchef India with Ranveer Brar, a celebrity chef, as one of the judges. The recipe is quick, simple, easy to make, and is suitable for most people.
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Pro Tip: Taste the watermelon before using it. The sweeter, the better. For the sweet watermelon, go for the locally available dark green ones. I personally don’t like the hybrid varieties.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Watermelon Juice, 1 cup for 50g of rice
- Rice (white rice, preferably Sona Masuri)
- Pumpkin Seeds, half a teaspoon
- Nigella Seeds (Kalonji), half a teaspoon
- 1 teaspoon of sweet flavour or neutral oil (Coconut oil, Refined Sunflower oil)
Alternate Tempering Options (if you don’t like the above or want to explore further).
- Mustard Seeds in Coconut Oil (enhances the sweetness of watermelon)
- Curry Leaves, Methi in Refined Oil or Coconut Oil (a mix of savoury and sweet flavours)
Recipe
- De-seed the watermelon slices and blend for a minute. That is enough to make a puree.
- In a clean cotton cloth, strain the watermelon to get the maximum amount of juice.
- Boil the juice till it starts rolling boil.
- Add white rice. Do not use basmati as it may spoil the flavour. We want the watermelon flavour to develop.
- Cook covered till 5-7 minutes on medium flame.
- Once the water finishes, let the rice sit in the hot pan. Turn off the flame.
- For the tempering, in a pan, heat some oil.
- Use neutral oil for better tempering flavour, or use coconut oil for enhanced sweet taste.
- Add your tempering to the oil when it is hot.
- Turn off the flame.
- Put the temper on watermelon rice.
Pro Tempering Tip: Use slow tempering for the best flavour of temper in oil. As soon as the oil is medium hot, put the tempura in. This way, tempered things don’t burn, and you will get a strong taste. Do not wait for the oil to start smoking.
Curries To Eat Along with Watermelon Rice
- Chicken Curry (cooked with thin gravy)
- Letha (mild stew from western Odisha’s cuisine)
- Sambar
- Chana Dal Fry (my favorite)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can diabetics eat watermelon rice?
Watermelon has a high glycemic index but a very low glycemic load. Hence, people with diabetes can eat it in moderation. For proper medical advice, please contact your physician.
