Pudina Rice Recipe | Spicy Pudina Pulao (Mint Rice)
This one-pot Pudina Rice or Mint Rice is a fragrant, spicy and tasty dish made with fresh mint leaves, basmati rice, onion, tomato, spices and herbs. I also include some potatoes and green peas in the Pudina Pulao to make it hearty, flavorful and a satisfying dish.
Rinse the 1 cup basmati rice (200 grams) till the water runs clear of the starch. Soak the rice in water for 20 to 30 minutes.
After 20 to 30 minutes, drain the water from the rice. Set the soaked rice aside.
Meanwhile, when the rice is soaking, prep the other ingredients.
Take the chopped mint leaves, coriander leaves, ginger, garlic, green chilies, chopped coconut or coconut milk or grated coconut, coriander seeds, cumin seeds in a chutney grinder or small grinder or blender.
Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water and grind to a smooth paste. Add more water if required while grinding.
Making pudina rice
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 2 litre stovetop pressure cooker.
Add the following whole spices - cinnamon, tej patta, green cardamoms, cloves, mace strands and a small piece of stone flower. Adding stone flower is optional.
On low heat, fry the spices for some seconds till they become aromatic.
Then add sliced onions.
Saute till the onions become golden. Then add the ground mint paste.
Add turmeric powder and red chili powder. Stir and sauté the masala paste for a minute or two.
Then add chopped potatoes, tomatoes and green peas. Stir and mix.
Add the strained rice and stir gently. The oil should coat the rice grains well. Stir and sauté for a minute.
Cooking pudina rice
Add 1.5 to 2 cups of water. Stir and mix well.
I added 2 cups since I had used organic basmati rice and we prefer the rice grains to be cooked well. 1.5 cups will give an al dente texture and can be added for the regular Indian brands of basmati rice.
Add salt as required. Stir and mix again.
Cover the lid tightly and pressure cook on high heat for 2 to 3 whistles till the rice grains are cooked and tender.
When the pressure settles down on its own, then only open the lid and gently fluff the rice.
Serve Pudina Rice hot with plain curd (yogurt) or with onion-tomato raita or boondi raita.
Notes
You can't scale this recipe easily as it has a complex blend of spices and herbs. When making a big batch, eyeball the ingredients and use your judgment or discretion.
You can also make it mint rice in a pan or an instant pot. Add water as needed and cook till the veggies are softened and the rice grains have become tender and the water has been fully absorbed.
You can vary the heat and the spicing in the recipe according to your taste buds. This pulao has a spicy taste.
To make this dish more healthy consider adding veggies like carrots, broccoli, french beans, beetroot, cauliflower, bell pepper (capsicum) and sweet corn.