Cheesy Baked with 20 Seconds Basmati Rice

~ Cheese Baked Salmon Basmati Rice ~

Basmati rice is known to be used often in Indian and Pakistani cuisine. The word “Basmati” is a Hindi word which literally means “Fragrant”. It has a distinctive aroma and spicy flavour which are not found in any other type of rice. The less starchy Basmati rice has a Glycemic Index lower than those in regular white rice and white flour base products. Hence, making it healthier option to be consumed as a source of carbohydrate.

Instead of cooking an Indian cuisine out of the Basmati like Chicken Briyani Rice, which I typically do, I have made a little twist. I baked vegetables Basmati rice with salmon and cheese. It is an extremely basic rice dish without much seasoning added to it as I like to taste the Basmati rice in its natural aromatic way topped with my favourite cheese and some thinly sliced salmon.

In this recipe, I have the wholesome meal idea at the back of my mind, like I always try to do. Hence, I added lots of hidden treasure, vegetables bits. The recipe below has much room for variation. Spices can be added to the rice and more cheese can be added for a stickier blend. You may try out other combination too with the same method.

There are 2 steps to this recipe. I first cooked the rice in an AMC 24cm 2.8 litre Eurasia wok with the Secuquick Softline on soft pressure between the temperature of 103°C to 113°C. Then, I baked it with the Navigenio turned upside down, acting as an oven. Only one wok was used, perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon!

Cheese Baked Salmon Basmati Rice Recipe (Serves 4) :

1. 400 grams Basmati Rice (Rinsed)
2. 400ml Water
3. 20 grams Butter
4. 1 tablespoon Fried Shallots (Pre-prepared)
5. 1 tablespoon Fried Garlic (Pre-prepared)
6. 100 grams Courgette/Zucchini (Cubed)
7. 50 grams each of Red, Green, Yellow and Orange Bell Pepper (Cubed)
8. 300 grams Salmon (Fillet into 20 slices)
9. 50 grams Vintage Cheddar Cheese (Shredded)
10. 50 grams of Mozzarella Cheese (Shredded)
11. 1 teaspoon Salt
12. 1 teaspoon Black Pepper

AMC Healthy Cooking Method :

A. Cooking Basmati Rice with P Programme on Soft Mode.

1. Place butter in a 24cm 2.8 litre Eurasia wok unit. Turn on Navigenio on heat level “2” to melt butter.
2. Add rice. Turn Navigenio to heat level “3”. Add fried shallots, fried garlic and all cubed vegetables into wok unit. Add salt and pepper and gently stir ingredients until all are well mixed. Add water.
3. Cover wok unit with AMC 24cm Secuquick Softline unit. Switch on Navigenio to automatic “A”. Turn on Audiotherm, place on knob, indicating “Soft” and set to cook on P programme.
4. As Audiotherm beeps, turn off both Navigenio & Audiotherm.
5. When wok depressurised, remove lid and set wok in an up-turned lid.

B. Baking Cheesy Salmon Basmati Rice with upturned Navigenio.

1. Arrange salmon slices on rice cooked in step A above and spread shredded cheese evenly on top of salmon.
2. Cover wok unit with Navigenio turned upside down. Turn Navigenio on lower heat level “-“, followed by higher heat level “=”. Activate Audiotherm to set 10 minutes, followed by 5 minutes for baking on low and high heat respectively.
3. When Audiotherm beeps, turn off both Navigenio & Audiotherm.
4. Garnish and serve warm.

Tips : P Programme is available for use on Secuquick Softline lid. It simply means cooking for 20 seconds from boiling point. Remember the key to healthy cooking is that the shorter the time and the lower the temperature is used to cook, the better the retention of nutrients level is in food.