Pudina Pulav

Ingredients:

1 cup Basmati Rice (long grained rice)
1/2 cup Pudina
1/2 cup Coriander Leaves, chopped
1/2 teaspoon Lemon Juice
1/4 teaspoon Ginger, finely chopped
2-3 Cloves of Garlic
2 tablespoons Fresh Grated Coconut
1 Green Cardamom, optional
2 Cloves (long)
1 Cinnamon Stick, broken into two pieces
1/2 piece of Bay Leaf
1 Green Chilli, finely chopped
1 medium Onion, sliced
2 cups Water
Salt to taste
1 tablespoon Oil or Ghee
Fresh Mint Leaves and Roasted Cashew Nuts, for garnishing

Method to make the Pudina Pulav:

1. Cook the rice with 2 cups of water along with salt and a tablespoon of oil until all the water is absorbed. Allow the cooked rice to rest for a while and use it to make the Pudina Pulav once it is cooled.

2. Wash the pudina leaves. Using a food processor, gring the pudina leaves along with green chillies, coriander leaves, ginger, lemon juice and masala like cloves, garlic, bay leaf (or) you can use readymade garam masala and grind into a smooth paste.

3. Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed pan on medium heat; add the mustard seeds and allow it to crackle. Stir in the urad dal and roast it until it turns light golden brown. Add the onions and saute until the onions turn translucent.

4. Now add the pudina mixture and salt. Give it a stir and let it cook for 5 minutes until the mixture turns a little thick. Turn off the heat and finally stir in the cooked rice to this mixture until well combined.

5. Serve the pudina pulav hot with raita and papad.