Pudina Pulao Recipe, Spicy Mint Rice

Preparation :15 mins
Cook :20 mins
Total Time :35 mins
Servings :Makes 4 servings

Ingredients :

For The Green Paste
1 cup roughly chopped mint leaves (phudina)
1/2 cup roughly chopped coriander (dhania)
2 tsp roughly chopped green chillies
1 tsp roughly chopped garlic (lehsun)
1 tsp roughly chopped ginger (adrak)
1 tbsp freshly grated coconut
1/2 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
salt to taste

Other Ingredients
1 cup long grained rice (basmati) , washed and drained
1 1/2 tbsp oil
1 cardamom (elaichi)
2 cloves (laung / lavang)
1 small stick cinnamon (dalchini)
1 bayleaf (tejpatta)
3/4 cup thinly sliced onions
1/4 tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
1/2 tsp chilli powder
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes

For Serving
curds (dahi)

Method :

For the green paste

Combine all the ingredients along with ¼ cup of water in a mixer and blend till smooth. Keep aside.

How to proceed

Soak the rice in enough water in a deep bowl for 30 minutes,. Drain and keep aside.
Heat the oil in a pressure cooker, add the cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and bayleaf and sauté on a medium flame for 30 seconds.
Add the onions and sauté on a medium flame for 2 minutes.
Add the green paste, turmeric powder and chilli powder, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 minute, while stirring occasionally.
Add the tomatoes, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 minute, while stirring occasionally.
Add the rice, little salt and 2 cups of hot water, mix well and pressure cook for 4 whistles.
Allow the steam to escape before opening the lid.
Mix it gently and serve hot with curds.