MINT PULAO

    Mint is one default herb I stock up in my refrigerator, along with Coriander leaves.  Any dish with a tinge of Mint, or ones extravagantly Mint, happens to be my all-time favourite note of flavour.  A fresh bunch of Mints from the wet market readily goes cleaned, ready to be stored for a few weeks.  Some wilted ones immediately turn into my favourite Pudina/Mint Chutney.

To read about the HEALTH BENEFITS OF MINT LEAVES, Click here...

    So is my love for Mint Leaves and mint flavoured dishes. Vegetable Mint Pulao - aromatic, flavour-filled, rich rice dish cooked with ample of spices & classic vegetables along with Mint Paste & ground Coconut paste and the pulao is cooked in Coconut Milk.  This is a deliciously rich dish, more or less similar to Vegetable Biriyani ya... ya... Vegetable Pulao(I can hear my kids saying, there's nothing called a Vegetable Biriyani as such... No Offence, my vegetarian & Biriyani lovers).  

    What makes this Mint Pulao unique is the addition of Mint Paste, which gives a wonderfully fresh aroma to the Pulao.  I love to keep Mint Pulao green, the trick is to add a hint of Sugar and Lemon while grinding the paste.  And keep in my mind that as soon as you grind it, you need to sauté it immediately, which also helps you to retain the green colour in the dish.  I have used Basmati Rice for the dish & the Rice is cooked in Coconut Milk & ground Coconut Paste. Mint Pulao can be cooked as such or along with Vegetables/Mushroom.

MINT PULAO

    This Mint Pulao recipe is cooked with Basmati Rice and the Rice: Water Ratio I used was 1:11/2 Cups.  I usually cook this Mint Pulao in a Rice Cooker. I  sauté all the ingredients in a pan, then transfer it into the Rice cooker along with the boiled Water & Coconut Milk. It can also be cooked in a Pressure Cooker.  Allow it to cook for a whistle on a high flame and then lower the flame and cook for another 10-12 minutes. The Rice Water Ratio - 1: 11/2 cups, suits well for both the methods.  But cooking in a Sauce Pan is more flexible.  Fewer ingredients and very less time to cook is the highlight of this one-pot meal.  Prepare some Curd-Onion Raitha or Vegetable Salad or simply pair it up with hard-boiled eggs and there you are with a wonderful & wholesome Rice Dish with a fresh note of Mint.


For more BIRIYANI & PULAO RECIPES, Click here...


Cuisine - Indian
Course - Main
Spice Level  - Low - Medium
Difficulty - Easy
Serves - 3- 4
Author - SM

Preparation Time - 10-15 Minutes
Soaking Time - 15 - 20 Minutes
Cooking Time - 20 - 30 Minutes 

 

For RECIPES WITH MINT LEAVES, Click here...

HOW TO COOK VEGETABLE MINT PULAO

MINT PULAO

INGREDIENTS:

For Mint Pulao:

Basmati Rice - 2 Cups
Carrot - 1/2 Cup
Beans - 1/4 Cup
Green Peas - 1/4 Cup
Potato - Few Pieces
Onions - 1 No.
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 Teaspoon
Mint Leaves - few
Coriander Leaves - few
Coconut Milk - 1 Cup
Water - 2 Cups
Salt - To Taste
Ghee - 1 Tablespoon

 

For a detailed Recipe on HOW TO MAKE COCONUT MILK, Click here...

For Mint Paste:

 

For Coconut Paste:

Coconut - 1/4 Cup
Fennel Seeds - 1 Teaspoon
Green Chillies - 2 No's.
Garlic - 7-8 Cloves
Ginger -1" Piece

Spices:

Ghee - 3 Tablespoons
Cinnamon (1") - 2 Sticks.
Cloves - 5-6 No's.
Cardamoms - 3 -4 Pods.
Bay Leaves - 2 Leaves

MINT PULAO

PREPARATION:

• Wash the Basmati rice until the water runs clear.
• Soak the rice for 20 minutes.
• Boil the water and keep it aside.
• Peel and dice Carrots & Potatoes into small Cubes, Cut Beans into 1/2" long pieces & keep it aside. 
• Wash and drain the Green Peas.
• Grind the ingredients mentioned under 'For Coconut Paste' into a fine paste.
• Grind the ingredients mentioned under 'For Mint Paste', just before sautéing it.
  

METHOD:

HOW TO MAKE MINT PULAO: 

MINT PULAO

• Heat Ghee in a pan, fry the ingredients mentioned under 'Spices' on a very low flame until aromatic.
• Add finely chopped Onions and sauté until onions turn translucent.
• Add the turmeric powder and fry it on a very low flame for a few seconds.
  
• Then, add the ground Coconut Paste and sauté until the raw flavour goes, and it turns fragrant.
• Now, add in the Mint Paste and sauté it on a low flame for about 2-3 minutes, or until the raw flavour goes.
  
• Add in the chopped Vegetables and give a quick stir.
• Drain the soaked Rice and add it to the above.
• Fry this for about 5-7 minutes on a very low flame.
• Pour in the Coconut Milk, boiled Water, Salt and mix well.
• Allow it to boil.
• Add finely chopped Mint & Coriander Leaves.
• Cover the pan and cook the rice on a low flame until the water is totally absorbed, and the rice is well cooked.
• Allow it to cool for a few minutes.
• Add the remaining 1 Tablespoon of Ghee to the cooked Mint Pulao and fluff it up.
• Serve Mint Pulao with Curd-Onion Raitha along with any kind of vegetarian or non-vegetarian curries.
  

MINT PULAO

NOTES:

• I have used  Basmati Rice in this recipe. Can use Chinigura Rice/Jeeraka Samba(Kaima)* rice for this dish.
• Can substitute half the amount of Ghee with Oil.
• Add ample of Mint Leaves for extra note of flavour.
  
• Adjust the number of Green Chillies to suit your spice preference.
• I have added both Ground Coconut Paste & Coconut milk to cook this Mint Pulao.
• If you do not prefer to add Coconut Paste, avoid Coconut & grind the other ingredients into a fine paste and follow the process.
• I love to keep Mint Pulao green, the trick is to add a hint of Sugar and Lemon while grinding the paste.  
• And keep in my mind that as soon as you grind it, you need to sauté it immediately, which also helps you to retain the green colour in the dish.