Mint rice/ Pudina rice

 Variety rice is a common recipe in Tamil cuisine. Some of the common ones are tamarind rice, lemon rice, coconut rice, mango rice, yoghurt rice etc. Mint rice or Pudina rice falls under the same category. The flavor of the rice is enhanced by all the spices and the mint. 

Serves up to 2 people
Preparation time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

1 cup of Basmati rice
1 red onion
1 cup of mint leaves and coriander leaves
2-3 green chillies
1 inch of ginger
1 tbsp of broken cashew nuts
2-3 cloves of garlic
2 pieces of clove
1/8 tsp of turmeric
1/2 tbsp of cumin powder
1 tbsp of ghee
oil as required
salt as required

Preparation:

1. Cook the rice with 2 cups of water. If I have a choice between gas/electricity, I usually prefer cooking in a gas instead of electricity. Allow the rice to cool. 
2. Add little oil to the pan, then add the chopped onion, ginger, green chillies and garlic. Saute well for 2 minutes and then add the cashew nuts.

3.Add mint and coriander leaves and salt to the pan. Saute well till the leaves are wilted. Allow them to cool and grind them together with little water.

4.Add ghee to the skillet and add 2 cloves. Then transfer the ground paste to the skillet. Add turmeric and cumin powder to the paste. As the raw smell disappears and the ground paste thickens, switch off the flame.

 

5.Add the rice and saute gently. Close the lid. Let it steam for 5 minutes. 

6.Mint rice is ready, serve with papad.