- Heat oil, then add cumin and mustard seeds. Add onion,ginger garlic paste, curry leaves and saute for a minute. Add turmeric, red chilli powder, coriander powder ,cumin powder,and salt and stir for a few seconds. Add the rice, dal and 2 cups water.and keep in a pressure cooker up to 3 whistles.after words remove the rice from cooker. Serve hot.