Deepa's Pudina Pulao

Apart from us food bloggers,I find people who garnish and decorate day to day food and click pictures of it and post it on facebook truly out of the world.I find so many of my friends and relatives who post pictures of what they cook and post it on facebook daily that no sooner I asked them to do a guest post for my blog.


I was so happy when Deepa,my bro's friend's wife replied immediately in positive.She very quickly clicked a pic of this yummy Pudina Pulao and sent me a mail replete with the picture and a full post!Thank you so much Deepa!


So here's the whole thing,in Deepa's words.

First let me thank Divya for inviting me to do  a guest post...Thanks Divya.It is my pleasure to do something for your blog..Divya,your blog JUST ROCKS!!!!!!  I  met  Divya after my marriage .She is my hubby’s close friends sister.

I am not a person who has a great passion for cooking.I first tasted Pudina pulao when I happened to go to my friends place for lunch.The pulao,she prepared was just awesome.That was the first time I got the opportunity to get a taste of pudina/mint...I immediately fell in love with the flavour.I had no second thoughts on the menu when my hubby invited one of his friend home for dinner...It came out quite well and the second time i made it,was even better..So,here goes the recipe.

Pudina/Mint Pulao


Ingredients 

For the pudina juice-( I use a watery juice instead of pudina paste)

• Pudina(Mint)leaves  - 1 cup loosely packed
• Coriander leaves- Half a bunch
• Grated coconut-Half a cup      
• Cinnamon-1 big
• Cloves- 4-5
• Bay leaf-1
• Green chillies- 2  or (as required)
• Ginger-Garlic – 1 small piece of each ( I did not use garlic)

Other ingredients

• Basmati Rice- 1 Tumbler( I use the regular steel tumbler)
• Onions – 2 big
• Carrot -1 big
• Fresh peas- Half a cup
• Beans- 10 -12 in number
• Ghee-1 tbspoon
• Oil- 1 tbspoon
• Jeera-1 teaspoon
• Water- 1 and a half tumbler...(Water has to be adjusted with the amount of pundina juice obtained)
• Salt to taste

Method

For the pudina juice

Grind together the required ingredients[mentioned above,for the juice] with enough  water.

Strain it to get a clear green pudina juice.Keep it aside.

For the Pulao

In a pressure pan add the ghee and oil.

Add jeera  and sauté it till u get the aroma of jeera.

Then sauté the onions till golden brown.Add  the rest of the ingredients and sauté for a few seconds.

Now,add the washed basmati rice.Stir well and add water (water has to be adjusted with the pudina water obtained)  

I used 1 tumbler of pudina juice and half tumbler of water.Add salt to taste.

Close the lid.After 1 whistle,simmer it for 2-3 minutes. 

Mix it well.Garnish the pulao with roasted cashewnuts  if required.

Cucumber or onion raita,and Lijjat papad can be served as a side dish.