Mint Rice / Mint Pulao/ Pudina Sadham

Mint is one of the oldest and most popular herbs that is grown around the world.  Mint contains many vitamin and minerals that are vital to maintain a healthy body and is a powerful antioxidant. 

Both fresh and dried mint are used to prepare a variety of recipes including curries, soups, chutneys, salads, juices and ice creams.  This fresh and aromatic mint flavoured rice is very simple and perfect for lunch box!

Ingredients

Basmati rice / Raw rice - 1 ½ cup 

Onion - 1 

Cashew nut - 4 to 5 (optional)

Red chilly powder - ½ to 1 tsp

Lemon juice - from 1 small lime

Carrot – 1 (chop into bite sized pieces) 

Peas – ½ cup 

Salt – to taste

To grind:

Green chillies - 2 or 3 

Pudina / Mint leaves - 2 hand full 

Garlic - 7 to 8 cloves

To Temper:

Bay leaf - 1 

Cinnamons - 1 

Cloves - 3 

Cardamom – 2 

Ghee - 1 tsp 

Oil - 1 tbsp 

Directions

Chop the onion lengthwise and keep aside. 

Grind the ingredients given under “To Grind” into a paste form and keep aside.

Wash and soak the rice in water for nearly fifteen minutes.

Take a pressure cooker and add oil & ghee; after it becomes hot, add the ingredients under “To Temper”.   Add cashew nuts and saute till colour changes.

After it crackles, add the chopped onions. Saute well, till it reaches golden brown colour .

Now add grounded paste, chopped carrot and peas; saute well till the raw smell goes. Then add drained basmati rice. 

Give a quick mix and add 2¼ to 2½ cups (adjust according to the quality of rice) of water.  When the water starts boiling, add lime juice. Check for salt and spice.

Close the cooker with the lid.  After the first whistle simmer for five minutes and switch off the gas.

Serve hot with onion raita .

Note:

For variation you can use ginger instead of garlic and can add paneer or soya instead of veggies.