Matta Rice | Keralan Pink Rice

In case you’ve ever eaten a standard Kerala meal equivalent to this Kerala lamb curry or prawn curry, you’ve most likely loved it with Matta rice. Recognized for its distinct reddish-brown color, barely nutty flavour, and satisfying chew, Matta rice (additionally referred to as Kerala purple rice or Palakkadan Matta) is greater than only a grain — it’s a part of what makes Keralan meals so good. Following is all the pieces it’s good to know to get your matta rice excellent.

What Is Matta Rice? A Heathy Alternative

Matta rice (Palakkadan Matta or Kerala purple rice) is a standard rice selection native to the southern Indian state of Kerala. It’s an unpolished or partially polished parboiled rice, which means that the bran and husk layers stay partly intact. This provides it a reddish-brown hue and a particular earthy flavour.

As a result of it’s parboiled earlier than milling, Matta rice retains extra vitamins, fibre, and minerals than most white rice varieties. Its chewy texture and nutty aroma make it very best for absorbing wealthy curries, from fiery fish moilee to coconut-based vegetable vegetable curries like this broccoli curry.

Not like polished white rice, Matta rice requires extra water and an extended cooking time. However when you get it proper, the payoff is a deeply satisfying, healthful, and fragrant grain that enhances nearly any South Indian meal in addition to any North Indian recipe although nowhere close to as widespread.

Well being Advantages of Matta Rice

Matta rice isn’t simply tasty — it’s additionally full of vitamin. Right here’s why it’s a more healthy alternative than white rice and why I normally serve it as a substitute of white rice:

• Excessive in fibre – Helps enhance digestion and preserve regular blood sugar ranges.
• Wealthy in iron and magnesium – Helps purple blood cell manufacturing and coronary heart well being.
• Decrease glycaemic index – Retains you full longer and prevents sugar spikes.
• Entire grain goodness – Retains vitamins misplaced in polished rice varieties.
• Supply of B nutritional vitamins – Boosts vitality metabolism and mind operate.

In case you’re in search of a healthful, slow-energy-releasing carbohydrate to pair with curries, Matta rice is a wonderful alternative.

Substances

To make matta rice, you solely want two elements, Matta rice and water. That mentioned, there is no such thing as a motive why you’ll be able to’t add a bit of salt, butter or entire spices to the boiling water for those who like. Entire spices like cinnamon, black peppercorns, cardamom pods and India bay leaves all go properly.

See recipe card for portions.

• Matta Rice
• Water
• Salt (optionally available)

Step-by-step pictures

The boiling methodology of cooking Matta rice is really easy. Following are my step-by-step pictures to indicate you methods to get the job finished.

1. Step 1: Was the darkish purple starch off the Matta rice grains in a number of modifications of water. That is a necessary step in order that the rice turns fluffy and never sticky when cooked.

2. Step 2: Place the washed Matta rice in a bowl and canopy with contemporary water to soak for at the least half-hour or two hours. You may as well soak it longer for those who like. The longer the soaking time, the sooner the Matta rice will cook dinner.

3. Step 3: Pressure the rice. One other couple of rinses will not be needed however actually gained’t damage.

4. Step 4: Carry a big pot of water to a boil and add the rice. Then decrease the warmth and let the rice gently simmer within the water for about 50 minutes or till cooked by.

5. Step 5: The rice ought to plump up when cooked. You may take a look at the doneness of the rice by attempting it or smashing it between two fingers.

6. Step 6: Pressure and the rinse the rice with water. Depart to drip for 10 to fifteen minutes. 

7. Step 7: Get pleasure from along with your favorite curries or pickles. This rice is a wholesome and scrumptious substitute for Basmati rice.

Are there different methods to cook dinner this rice?

Sure. I discover the boiling/simmering methodology photographed above probably the most handy for my life-style. That mentioned, it’s also possible to use a sluggish cooker or steamer, the normal Keralan solution to cook dinner Matta. You will see these cooking strategies within the recipe card on the backside of the web page.

Helpful Gear for Cooking Matta Rice

To get constant outcomes, the suitable instruments make a distinction:

• Heavy-bottomed pot – Prevents scorching throughout the boiling methodology.
• Colander or fine-mesh strainer – For draining extra water simply.
• Gradual cooker or electrical rice cooker – For handy, hands-off cooking.
• Measuring cups – Ensures the suitable water-to-rice ratio.
• Wood spatula – Mild on the grains whereas stirring.

Storing and Reheating

Matta rice shops and reheats fairly effectively.

Refrigeration:

Cool fully earlier than refrigerating. Retailer in an hermetic container for as much as 3–4 days.

Freezing:

Portion the cooked rice into freezer-safe luggage or containers. Freeze for as much as 2 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.

Reheating:

• Stovetop: Sprinkle just a few tablespoons of water over the rice, cowl, and heat on low for five–7 minutes.
• Microwave: Cowl with a moist paper towel and warmth in brief bursts, stirring sometimes.
• Steam Reheat: Place the rice in a steamer for five–8 minutes. In my view, that is the perfect methodology for restoring texture.

Keep away from reheating greater than as soon as and at all times guarantee it’s piping sizzling earlier than serving.

FAQ

I’ve plenty of good rice recipes so that you can attempt. Listed below are a number of the hottest.

Pairing

You may wish to attempt Matta rice with certainly one of these standard curries.

Have you ever tried this Matta rice recipe?

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Yield: 4

Matta Rice

Matta rice is a wholesome rice and the right accompaniment for many curries. It has a delcious nutty flavour that so many individuals love. It’s best to give Matta rice a attempt if you make your subsequent curry. On this recipe, you utilize the favored boiling/steaming methodology to cook dinner the rice. Please see the notes for steaming and sluggish cooking variations.

Prep Time
20 minutes

Cook dinner Time
50 minutes

Complete Time
1 hour 10 minutes

Substances

• 2 cups ( 385g) Matta rice
• Water to cowl

Directions

1. Was the darkish purple starch off the Matta rice grains in a number of modifications of water. That is a necessary step in order that the rice turns fluffy and never sticky when cooked.
2. Place the washed Matta rice in a bowl and canopy with contemporary water to soak for at the least half-hour or two hours. You may as well soak it longer for those who like. The longer the soaking time, the sooner the Matta rice will cook dinner.
3. Pressure the rice. One other couple of rinses will not be needed however actually gained’t damage.
4. Carry a big pot of water to a boil and add the rice. Let the rice cook dinner within the water for about 50 minutes or till cooked by.
5. The rice ought to plump up when cooked. You may take a look at the doneness of the rice by attempting it or smashing it between two fingers.
6. Pressure and the rinse the rice with water. Depart to drip for 10 to fifteen minutes.

Notes

OTHER POPULAR WAYS TO COOK MATTA RICE

Steaming Matta Rice (Conventional Kerala Methodology)

If you wish to make Matta rice the genuine approach, steamingis the way it’s finished in Kerala kitchens. It takes a bit longer however rewards you with fantastically fluffy, nutrient-rich grains. The steaming methodology retains extra vitamins and offers a barely drier texture, very best for serving with coconut-based facet dishes or spicy fish gravies.

CookingTime: 60–70 minutes

Ratio: 1cup Matta rice to three cups water

Gear:Idli steamer, conventional puttu kutti or a wide-bottomed steamer pot

Directions

1. Rinse and soak the rice for at the least 1 hour.
2. Add the soaked rice to a steamer pot or idli cooker, utilizing a perforated insert if obtainable.
3. Pour 3 cups of water into the bottom (beneath the steaming stage).
4. Steam the rice over for about 45–60 minutes.
5. Stir as soon as midway by to make sure even cooking.
6. As soon as finished, examine just a few grains. They need to be tender but barely al dente.
7. Flip off the warmth and let it relaxation, lined for 10 minutes earlier than fluffing with a fork.

Cooking Matta Rice in a Gradual Cooker

In case you choose a hands-free strategy, the sluggish cooker methodology is unbeatable. It requires no supervision and ensures evenly cooked, tender rice. This methodology offers tender, evenly cooked rice that’s simple to arrange in giant portions and ideal for household dinners or weekly meal prep.

CookingTime: 3–4 hours on HIGH or 5–6 hours on LOW

Ratio: 1cup rice to 3½ cups water

Directions:

1. Rinse and soak the rice for at the least 1 hour.
2. Drain and add the rice to your sluggish cooker pot.
3. Pour in 3½ cups of water.
4. Cowl and cook dinner on HIGH for 3–4 hours or LOW for five–6 hours.
5. Stir as soon as midway by cooking if attainable.
6. When finished, fluff with a fork and preserve heat till serving.

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Vitamin Data:

Yield:

4

Serving Measurement:

1

Quantity Per Serving:

Energy: 103Complete Fats: 0gSaturated Fats: 0gUnsaturated Fats: 0gSodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 2g

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