Comfort Risotto Rice

Rinse the rice a few times and soak for 30 minutes. Also, rinse green urad dal a few times and soak for 30 minutes in separate bowls. After 30 minutes, add urad dal to a saucepan with enough water so the water level is 1 inch above the dal surface. Bring it to a boil and simmer it covered on low heat.

Meanwhile, start sautéing the diced onions in the oil. Once brown, add chopped garlic and fry some more. Then add diced tomatoes, spices (turmeric, cumin, coriander, red chili flakes), and salt, and sauté some more. Now, drain the rice from the soaking water and add it to the pot. Then add 7 cups of stock or a half water/half stock mixture to the pot and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pot and cook on low heat for 30 minutes. Stir from the bottom in between cooking to prevent burning and ensure even liquid distribution.

Meanwhile, keep checking the urad dal, and once tender, remove it from the heat. Add the cooked urad dal to the rice pot, mix it, and cover the pot. Once the rice absorbs all the liquid, check the grain for doneness. If you want to add more water to make it creamier, you can add about 1/2 cup more water. When you turn off the heat and keep the pot covered, the rice will become even creamier.