Kerala matta rice also known as rosematta rice, vadi matta rice, palakadan matta rice, red rice, Kerala red rice, Kerala parboiled rice (Malayalam: കേരള മട്ട)is a healthy grain that is grown in Kerala and Karnataka regions. It is mainly consumed by people all over Kerala, Srilanka and coastal areas of Karnataka like Mangalore. As we all know, Kerala matta rice is a magnesium rich grain with immense health benefits. This rice can be cooked in a pressure cooker, microwave, electric rice cooker and in an open pot without cooker.

One cup of Matta rice contains 84 grams of magnesium, one gram of calcium, one gram of fiber with 160 calories. It also contains vitamins. Though this red rice is different from brown rice, it has equal health benefits. Just like the usual polished white rice, this red rice can be used to make idli, dosa, appam, murukku and snacks. It can be consumed mixing with kuzhambu, sambar, rasam and non-veg curries. More than all these recipes, matta rice porridge is a most popular and healthy baby food.

Apart from this, Kerala matta rice is good for people having Type 2 diabetes, heart diseases and osteoporosis. It makes you feel full for long time. Rice gruel is given to babies. Every year during Onam festival, I used to make Sadya at home for our lunch. I cook Kerala Matta rice easily in a pressure cooker. Washing the rice & soaking for minimum one hour is essential for cooking this rice perfectly. Ok friends, lets see how to cook Kerala red rice with step by step pictures.

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Wash the Kerala matta rice/ red rice twice or thrice till the water color changes from red to pale white. Soak in enough water for minimum one hour to maximum over night. Color of the rice changes to pale white after soaking. Drain the excess soaked water and take the rice in a pressure cooker. Add 2.5 cups of water (Rice : water = 1: 5). Mix well and close the cooker. Keep the flame high till vapor starts to come off through the nozzle. Put the weight valve and lower the flame completely. Cook in low flame for 5 whistles. It takes 15 to 20 minutes. Switch off the flame. Open the cooker after steam is released. Take a vessel and place a colander / sieve over it. Strain the cooked water. Its known as rice gruel. You can drink it adding a pinch of salt. Its very healthy. Take the cooked rice and press it with your fingers. If it becomes mushy, rice is cooked well. Remove the rice from colander and transfer to a bowl. Serve hot with sambar, theeyal, rasam etc. Enjoy !

Enjoy this flavorful, healthy Kerala matta rice for your lunch and stay fit !