SPINACH RICE

PALAK PULAO RECIPE (SPINACH RICE)

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Serves 4
Recipe source: Mom-in-law

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups of rice, washed
• 1 large bunch of spinach, washed and coarsely chopped
• 1 tomato, cubed
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 green chillies (optional)
• 2 tsp ghee or oil
• 1/2 tsp jeera or cumin
• 10 roasted cashew nuts, for garnish (optional)
• carrot(optional)
• peas or chana(optional)

To grind:

• 1/4 cup of grated coconut
• 1 small bunch of coriander leaves (cilantro)
• 1 onion or a few shallots (chinna vengayam)
• 1 tsp of red chilli powder
• 1 tsp of garam masala

How to make Spinach Rice:

1. Heat the ghee in your pressure cooker pan (we used a wider pan to make it easier to take pictures). Add the sliced onions and saute until it lightly browns.Add carrots and peas.

2. Then add the cubed tomatoes and the green chillies, slit lengthwise (if using).

3. Add the chopped spinach and mix well.

Let it cook for a while. The spinach will let out water so there's no need to add any more at this time.

5. In the meantime, grind the ingredients under "to grind" with some water to a smooth paste.

6. Add this to the spinach mixture and mix well.

Next, add the rice and some salt and mix again (we transferred the spinach rice mixture to the pressure pan now to finish the cooking process. As mentioned, you can do all the steps in a pressure cooker pan since this is a one-pot rice dish). Add about 2.5 cups water, close the pressure cooker and cook for 2 whistles or about 15 mins. The amount of water required will depend on the type of rice you are using.

Once done, garnish with roasted cashew nuts and serve hot with curd / cucumber raita and appalam / vadaam.

Notes:

1. Add a fistful of mint leaves to the paste while grinding for some added flavour
2. If you don't want to use garam masala, use biryani masala, or even some coriander powder. The flavours will be different and more subtle/pronounced depending on your choice
3. You can omit the coconut but the pulao will definitely lack in some flavour. 
4. If you don't want to use a pressure cooker, use a wide pan and cook closed on low flame until the rice is cooked and soft. 
5. Add a clove of garlic to the paste. Try it!