Mint Rice

The aroma and taste of mint rice makes me not stop eating it especially when its piping hot with a amazing tomato raita. 

Its simple to make and packed with goodness of herbs. I love to use green vegetables like peas and beans.

Ingredients:

To grind (1):

1) 1 bunch mint

2) 1 bunch coriander

3) 4 to 5 chilies (per your taste)

4) 1/2 lime juice.

Grind all this together, the reason for lime juice is to preserve the green color.

To grind (2):

1) Ginger & garlic - few pieces each

2) Cardamon (1), 1 tsp fennel, Cloves (2), Cinnamon (1)

3) Coconut (2 table spoons)

4) Shallot (1)

5) Red chilies (2 or 3)

Grind all the above together and make a paste.

Method:

1) Rinse and wash 2 cups basmati rice and soak in water for 30 mins.

2) In a pressure cooker or instant pot, add 2 tbsps. ghee.

3) Add chopped onions and fry till they turn slight brown.

4) Add 1/2 tomato and fry and to this add the ground paste (2) and sauté until the raw smell goes away.

5) Add peas & beans to above after 5 mins.

6) Now add the ground paste (1) and sauté for a min.

7) Add the soaked rice, salt and another 1/2 juice of lime.

8) Add just 1.5 cups of water per cup of rice. Let the mixture come to slight boil and then put the lid for pressure cooking.

9) The rice should be cooked in 2 or 3 whistles.

10) Enjoy with tomato raita.