Kerala Matta Rice is a unique variety of rice that is popular in Kerala. It is rich in fiber and has a lot of health benefits too. Learn How to cook Kerala Matta Rice the perfect way every single time with step by step pictures and video.
Matta Rice is Kerala staple rice which is also called as Kerala Matta Rice. It is one of the healthy rice as it has the outer bran also takes longer to cook. It is popularly known as Palakkad matta rice.
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What is Matta Rice?
Matta Rice or Kerala Matta Rice or Rosematta Rice is highly nutritious because of its outer bran and at the time because of the bran it takes lots of time to get cooked when compared to our regular white rice. When cooked, the natural red color in the bran or hull of the rice, leaches out and dyes the rest of the rice from red to light shade.
Matta rice is called by different names : Rose matta rice, Palakkadan Matta rice, Kerala Red rice or Red parboiled rice.This rice can be eaten as such with curries or you can make any variety rice too.
Kerala Matta Rice is a unique variety of rice that is primarily grown in the Palakkad region of Kerala, India. It is a traditional rice variety that has been cultivated for centuries and it is a part of the Onam Sadya too.
As rice plays a vital role in South Indian meals choosing the healthy option is a must as we consume rice almost daily. Kerala Matta Rice is one of the healthier option to white rice. While this matta rice is widely used in Kerala, it has gained popularity beyond the region due to its nutritional benefits.
though this rice takes time to cook, its health benefits are numerous that it is worth the effort and time. This rice can be served like our regular white rice along with curries and poriyal. I served it with fish curry the best combination.
How to cook matta rice – Video
Methods to cook Kerala Matta Rice
- Pressure Cooker Method – This is the most easiest and convenient methods for all. You can drain excess water if there is any after pressure cooking and results are great. But make sure to add water correctly.
- Draining Method – This comes handy if you are used to draining method to cook rice. Rice cooked comes out fluffy and non sticky but takes time and you need to check each time manually if rice is cooked or not.
- Instant Pot Method – This also saves a lot of time and effort so if you own a instant pot then this is for you.
How to cook Matta Rice Step by Step
1.Take 1/4 cup rice, rinse it well with water twice at least then drain water.
2.Rinse well again.
3.Rinse until water is clear like this.
4.Drain water.
Pressure Cooker Method
5.Now add rice and 6 cups water(measure in the same 1/4 cup) directly to the pressure cooker.
6.Close and pressure cook for 5 whistles in medium flame, then simmer for 15 minutes(do not worry about the whistles). Switch off and do not open or disturb it. Allow the pressure to release by itself, the resting time is important.
7.Open and fluff it up. If you have little water floating either you can keep it on the stove and cook for few more mins or drain it.
8.Check by pressing a rice grain it should be mash-able.
9.Drain excess water. Your fluffy cooked matta rice is ready!
Draining Method
10.Boil water in a small pot, fill it till 3/4th I added around 4 cups measured in the same cup I measured rice with. Let it start to boil rigorously.
11.Add the rinsed and soaked rice.
12.Let it cook, it will take at least 20 mins.Cook in medium flame, make sure the rice should be fully immersed in water.
13.Check by pressing a grain, if it is mash-able then it is done else cook for few more minutes.
14.Now drain the excess water. I usually pour the floating water first to a bowl before draining.
15.I use a plate with holes then slip it up on both the sides.
16.Place it a slant position so that the excess water drains away. Let it in this position for at least 20 minutes or until no moisture is left.
17.Rice is ready and done.
Instant Pot Method
18.I took 1 cup matta rice. Rinse the rice well until water is clear it takes at least 3-4 times of rinsing.
19. Then add rice to instant pot along with 6 cups of water. For every 1 cup rice add around 6 cups water. Measure in the same cup you measured rice with.
20.Set in pressure cook mode for 15 minutes.
21.Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release by itself. Then open.
22. Transfer the rice to a strainer. Drain excess water.
Rice is ready!
Expert Tips
- For beginners who are not used with draining method can use pressure cooking method.
- Each cooker is different so the number of whistles may slightly vary so keep an eye. Also each rice variety is also different so when you open and if there is more water floating then drain it. If the rice is not cooked then cook for few more minutes.
- Do not cook in high flame while pressure cooking, the starch will splutter and make a mess in the kitchen counter.
- I usually pressure cook directly in the cooker, you can also cook it in vessel placed inside the cooker.
FAQS
1.Do I need to soak matta rice?
Soaking rice helps in cooking faster but the method and measurements I’ve given here are without soaking. If you want you can soak rice for 30 minutes and then cook for a little less time.
2.My rice is still uncooked, What should I do?
Each rice variety is different so cook for few more whistles or minutes to get soft cooked matta rice.
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📖 Recipe Card
How to cook Kerala Matta Rice
Ingredients
Pressure cooker method:
- 1 cup matta rice
- 6 cups water
Draining method:
- 1 cup matta rice
- 10-12 cups water
Instructions
- Take 1/4 cup rice, rinse it well with water twice at least then drain water.
- Rinse well again.
- Rinse until water is clear like this.
- Drain water.
Pressure Cooker Method
- Now add rice and 6 cups water(measure in the same 1/4 cup) directly to the pressure cooker.
- Close and pressure cook for 5 whistles in medium flame, then simmer for 15 minutes(do not worry about the whistles). Switch off and do not open or disturb it. Allow the pressure to release by itself, the resting time is important.
- Open and fluff it up. If you have little water floating either you can keep it on the stove and cook for few more mins or drain it.
- Check by pressing a rice grain it should be mash-able.
- Drain excess water. Your fluffy cooked matta rice is ready!
Draining Method
- Boil water in a small pot, fill it till 3/4th I added around 4 cups measured in the same cup I measured rice with. Let it start to boil rigorously.
- Add the rinsed and soaked rice.
- Let it cook, it will take at least 20 mins.Cook in medium flame, make sure the rice should be fully immersed in water.
- Check by pressing a grain, if it is mash-able then it is done else cook for few more minutes.Now drain the excess water. I usually pour the floating water first to a bowl before draining.
- I use a plate with holes then slip it up on both the sides.
- Place it a slant position so that the excess water drains away. Let it in this position for at least 20 minutes or until no moisture is left.
- Rice is ready and done.
Instant Pot Method
- Rinse the rice well until clear then add rice to instant pot along with water. For every 1 cup rice add around 8 cups water. Measure in the same cup you measured rice with.
- Cover and set the instant pot to pressure cook mode in high and set timer to 10 minutes.
- Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release by itself. Then open and drain rice if there is excess water.
Video
Notes
- For beginners who are not used with draining method can use pressure cooking method.
- Each cooker is different so the number of whistles may slightly vary so keep an eye. Also each rice variety is also different so when you open and if there is more water floating then drain it. If the rice is not cooked then cook for few more minutes.
- Do not cook in high flame while pressure cooking, the starch will splutter and make a mess in the kitchen counter.
- I usually pressure cook directly in the cooker, you can also cook it in vessel placed inside the cooker.
varshini
Is this the same rice that you used for nei payasam?
Sharmilee J
No I used unakalari broken rice for payasam
kausik
thanks akka
Hasmita
What is the quantity of cooked rice that 1 cup of uncooked Matta rice will yield, compared to regular white rice? Thank you for your great recipes!
Sharmilee J
As the grains are big the yield will look less
arun
Have you tried with rice cooker. i really would like to know how to make this in rice cooker.thanks
Sharmilee J
no sorry if I try will update here
Harshal panchal
What to eant with this rice. As i am gyjrati i have no odea what will best suot with. My guess is sambhar👀?
Sharmilee J
Any curry, sabji will go well with rice
Pavana Gangavatiker
which brand and where can we find good matta rice is good please suggests
,
Sharmilee J
I buy this from a supermarket nearby