Palak Pulav / Spinach Pulav

Ingredients (Serves 2)

1. Basmati rice – 1 cup

2. Spinach / Palak – 3 cups, chopped

3. Cumin seeds – 1/8 tsp

    Whole spices – Cardamom – 2, cloves – 4, cinnamon stick – 1/2 inch, whole pepper – 1/4 tsp

4. Ginger – 1/4 inch

    Garlic – 4 cloves

    Green chilies – 3 small

    Mint leaves – 15

    Cilantro – 1/2 cup, roughly chopped

    Grated coconut – 3 tbsp

6. Onion – 1/2 cup, chopped

7. Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp

   Chilly powder – 1/4 tsp

   Coriander powder – 1/2 tsp

   Garam masala powder – 1/2 tsp

8. Hot water – 1.5 cup

9. Ghee / oil –  1.5 tbsp

Method

1. Soak basmati rice for 20 minutes in enough water. Drain and set aside.

2. Coarsely grind ginger, garlic, green chilies, mint, cilantro and grated coconut. Set aside.

3. Heat ghee in a pressure cooker. Add cumin seeds and whole spices. Saute until fragrant. Fry cashews until golden. Add chopped onion and saute until onion becomes transparent. Next add ground ginger-garlic-green chilly mixture. Cook for 3 – 4 mts until raw smell is gone. Lower the heat. Add turmeric powder, chilly powder, coriander powder and garam masala powder. Saute for 1 minute or until their raw smell is gone. Add chopped spinach. Stir for 1 – 2 minutes until they wilt. Add drained basmati rice. Stir for one minute. Next add 1.5 cup hot water. Add enough salt and mix well. Close the pressure cooker with its lid. Cook at medium heat until steam starts coming out profusely. Put the whistle on, lower the heat and cook for 3 – 4 minutes. Switch off. Set aside for 10 – 15 minutes or until pressure releases. Open and fluff the rice carefully with a fork. Transfer to a serving bowl. Serve with raita, pickle and pappad or with any spicy curry.

Tips

You can add mixed vegetables like carrots,beans,capsicum, frozen/fresh green peas to this pulav. Add them along with chopped spinach.