Mint Rice recipe (mild and spicy treat)

Mint rice or pudina pulao was never my favorite in college days.I was only aware of vegetarian biryani and fried rice back then.It is after marriage that I started experimenting variety of vegetarian recipes and I am loving all my cooking recipes (I believe they are coming out good as my husband who is the test object is fit and active after eating my food: D).I have always prepared this Pudina rice with two ingredients which is mild and I love mild food.It feels healthy to eat.But my family likes food be bit spicy to taste and look too.And I thought I will prepare Mint Pulao to satisfy their taste buds so tried this spicy yet mild flavored recipe.

Mint Rice,Pudina Pulao

Ingredients: 

Bunch of Fresh Mint or Pudina leaves
Fresh coriander leaves
Tomato - 4
Onion - 2 medium sized
Carrot
Potato
Ginger
Garlic
Coconut
Cashew nuts
Ghee
Cloves
Bay leaf
Cinnomon stick
Green chilli

This is similar to pudina vegetarian biryani I do with little variation.

Method :

1. Soak rice for 30 - 60 minutes (I used sonamasuri premium quality white rice).

2. Wash green leaves ,mint and coriander ,ginger,garlic pods, half medium sized onion ,coconut pieces,green chillis and keep them aside.Grind these in a jar at once.Pour a cup of water to make paste.

To Grind

3. Take a 3 litre pressure cooker (or depending on quantity) ,pour some butter or ghee ,add cumin seeds,bay leaf,cinnamon stick,cloves ,fry for 3 seconds on medium heat and add onion,then tomato.

Ingredients

4. When the tomato raw smell Is gone,add salt,vegetables  (potato and carrot  ,can also add cauliflower,bell pepper).Add the grinded paste in this.Add little chilli powder for color and flavour.

5. Now time to add the soaked rice in cooker,mix well,adjust salt.No need to our extra water as the leaves paste already has required water for vegetables to cook.Take care just to add required water for rice as the grains should be separate.Add 1 tablespoon ghee.

6. Close the cooker lid and wait for 3 whistles.Ince the flame is turned off,let the steam go for 20 mins atleast.

7. Open the kid and serve hot with papam,onion raitha.

I didn't want the grains to be separate so added some extra water and the texture-coconut combo came out really well.

For anyone who wants vegetarian biryani variation or normal mint Pulao variation,give your taste buds this Mint Rice or Pudina Pulao.

Moms Food!

I was so anxious to visit Amma as its been 4 months I haven't visited my home.Day finally has come when me and my hubby started to Hyderabad.5 days have passed so quickly.Mom made some of my favorite dishes and the rest are exception as they are his favorite :).Back to Chennai today,is a gloomy day,now I recollect how badly I missed home.

All the past 3 weeks I was preparing recipes of my mom,unknowingly.I was probably missing my mom and her food so badly that all the dishes I prepared recently tasted just like amma's food.

And Today's Recipe is,
Pudina Fried rice and Oats Upma for breakfast
Potato onion Curry,Methi buttermilk (majjiga) for Lunch.

For Potato onion curry recipe ,I have posted in here.

Simple Pudina Pulao

You want to have something tasty in less time,then this is the option.All you need is,

Fresh Pudina leaves
Rice
Green Chilli
Onion
Coriander Leaves (Optional)
Cashews.

Method:

1.Cut onion pieces,green chillies, Remove pudina leaves aside.
2. Grind Pudina,Coriander,Green Chillis along with sufficient salt in a grinder and put aside.
3.Take a pan, heat a tablespoon of oil and fry the onion till golden brown,pour the pudina paste in this and let it boil covered(you get nice aroma).
4.Add the cooked rice and fry for 2-3 minutes.
5.Garnish with cashews and pudina.

Note :
I added coriander to make it more tasty :).You can eliminate if you want.Also, while after adding onion ,you can add tomatoes /garlic paste if you want.I want to have a mild taste so didn't add that.

Combination :
I have it plainly.But Jeera curd goes very well with this .Just powder jeera and mix with thick curd.Or you can just try onion raitha/cucumber raitha.Pudina rice is ready.