Coriander rice is an fragrant, tasty, healthy and spiced rice dish made with fresh cilantro leaves, basmati rice, veggies, herbs and spices. It makes for a nutritious and hearty meal paired with a veggie salad or raita.
Rinse the basmati rice very well in water till the water runs clear of starch. Then soak the rice in water for 20 to 30 minutes.
Then drain the water and keep the rice aside. Prep the other ingredients when the rice is soaking.
Making coriander paste
Take coriander leaves, green chilies, ginger, unsweetened desiccated coconut, garlic, cumin seeds and fennel seeds in a small grinder or blender or chutney grinder.
Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water and grind or blend to a smooth paste. Keep this green cilantro paste aside.
Making coriander rice
Heat 2 tablespoons of any neutral flavored oil in a pressure cooker.
Add the following whole spices - cloves, black peppers, cinnamon, green cardamoms and single strands of mace. Fry till the spices become fragrant. This takes a few seconds.
Add the thinly sliced onions. On a low to medium flame, stir and saute the onions till they become golden.
Keep on stirring often so that the onions have a uniform golden color and do not get burnt.
Lower the flame and add the ground coriander-spices paste. Add a pinch turmeric powder. Stir very well.
Add chopped potato and green peas. You can use any mix vegetables of your choice or even skip them. Stir again.
Then add the drained rice. Stir gently and saute the rice for a minute.
Cooking coriander rice
Add 1.5 cups of water and salt as required. Stir again. Taste the stock and it should feel a bit salty.
Cover and pressure cook rice for 2 whistles or for 7 to 9 minutes on a medium to high flame.
When the pressure settles down on its own in the cooker, remove the lid and gently fluff the rice.
Serve coriander rice hot with side raita or salad or a pickle. It can also be packed for tiffin box and will make for a very healthy meal.
While eating you can drizzle some lemon juice to add some brightness and tang to the dish.
Notes
The entire coriander rice recipe can also be made in a pot or pan. Add 2 cups of water if cooking in a pot. Cover tightly and cook the rice grains till done. Do check while the rice is cooking and if required, you can add more water.
If you want then you can skip adding the veggies.
I personally like to add spare veggies to this recipe as it makes the dish more healthy, nutritious and also more flavorful. The veggies that can be added are potatoes, green peas, beans, cauliflower, broccoli, bell pepper, baby corn, brinjal, sweet corn, cabbage, baby corn and carrots. You can also include button mushrooms.
For a spicy rice increase the number of green chilies.
If basmati rice is not available to you then use any variety of non-sticky white rice or any long grained rice.