After a long time, few days back, I had gone on a shopping spree with my cousins. It was super fun and we really had a great time. Since I had to wind off my morning chores quickly, I had made Pudina rice, tadka dal and raita for lunch, simple but a wholesome meal.

The Pudina rice came out very well. It was very fragrant, mildly spiced, light, colourful and very delicious:)

Ingredients

Basmati rice – 1 and 1/4 cups
Sliced shallots ( sambar onions) – 1 cup
Ghee – 1 tbsp
Cumin powder ( jeera)- 2 tsps
Turmeric powder – 1/4th tsp
Pepper powder – 1 tsp
Amchur ( dry mango powder)- 1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds – 1 tsp

For the pudina paste
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Pudina – 1 cup ( tightly packed)
Green chillies- 3-4
Ginger – 1 inch
Grated coconut – 2 tbsps

For the garnish
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Ghee – 1 tbsp
Cashew nuts – 1 tbsp
Pista – 1 tbsp

Method

Wash and soak basmati rice for 10-15 mins.

To make the paste
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Wash the pudina well. Wash and chop green chillies. Wash, peel and chop ginger.
Grind everything along with coconut to a smooth paste.

Heat ghee in a pan. Add cumin seeds. When it starts crackling, add the sliced shallots. Sauté till it turns pink. Now add the ground paste and sauté for few seconds.

Now add turmeric powder, cumin powder, pepper and amchur powder and mix well. Sauté for few seconds. Drain the basmati rice completely and add to the pan. Mix gently and sauté for a min.

Add 2 cups of water and salt to taste and mix well. Check for the seasonings. When the water starts to boil, reduce the flame and close the pan with a lid and cook till the rice becomes soft and dry. Take it off the flame and let it rest for few mins.

Heat ghee in a pan. Add the cashew nuts and pista and sauté till it turns golden and crisp.

Garnish the rice with roasted nuts and serve the rice hot with any raita of your choice:)