Pudina rice

Rice varieties definitely form a part of any feast in India. I made pudina rice few times, when I had guests for dinner and it turned out to be a safe and yet a tasty option.

Ingredients: (serves two)

             Rice - 1 cup

             Onion - 1 medium sized chopped

             Turmeric powder - 1 pinch

             Cinnamon - 1 stick

             Cloves - 4

             Bay leaf - 1

             Groundnuts - 1 handful

             Ghee - 2 tbsp

             Salt - to taste

For the paste:
             Mint leaves - 3/4 cup (lightly packed)
             Corriander leaves - 1/4 cup
             Coconut grated - 2 tbsp
             Green chillies - 2 (you can add more according to your taste)
             Ginger & garlic paste - 1/2 tbsp

Method: 

• Wash mint leaves and corriander leaves. Make this into a thick paste along with ginger, garlic, chillies and coconut. 
• Heat a pressure pan and add ghee. After it gets heated, add the spices-  cloves, cinnamon and bay leaf. Wait for 30 seconds. 
• Add chopped onion and fry till it gets transparent. Add little sugar (This is a secret!! When ever you fry onions, add 1 spoon sugar. It does help! ). Add 1 pinch of turmeric.
• Now add the green paste and fry for few minutes (till pachai vaasanai goes off)

                                   

• Wash the rice and add it to the mixture with twice the amount of water. Add salt.
• Fry the groundnuts in ghee until golden brown and add. 
• Give it a good mix. Close the lid and keep in simmer for five min then allow it to cook for 2 whistles (vary according to the quantity and type of rice you are using.)
• Tasty pudina rice ready!