Mint (Pudina) Rice/Pulao

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp ghee
• 2 bay leaf
• 1 star anise
• 4-5 cloves
• 2 green cardamom
• 1 black cardamom
• 1 cinnamon stick of 1"pc
• 1/2 tsp whole cumin
• 4-5 whole red chillies
• 2 medium size onions sliced
• 1 tbsp of ginger-garlic paste
• 3-5 whole green chillies pounded (or according to taste)
• 1 medium size carrot cut into slices in a slant
• 15-20 pieces of french beans cut into slant pieces
• 2-3 tbsp of peas (optional)
• 2 1/2 tbsp of mint coriander and chilli paste
• Pinch of turmeric
• 1/4 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/4 tsp cumin powder
• 1/4 tsp coriander powder
• Salt to taste
• 1 tsp sugar :
• 3 tbsp curd , beaten well
• 1/4 cup mint leaves
• 2 tbsp cashews dry roasted
• 1 1/2 cups of long grain rice (Used 1:2 ratio water )

Pre-preparation

Grind 1/2 cup mint leaves,

1/4 cup coriander leaves and a few green chillies according to taste.

Grind and keep aside

Method

• Put the ghee in a kadhai and warm it a little
• Then add the bay leaf ,  star anise, cloves, green: cardamom, black cardamom,cinnamon stick , whole cumin seeds and  whole red chillies
• Stir fry for 30-40 seconds
• Then add the sliced onions
• Stir fry till the onions become soft and beige brown in colour, then add the ginger-garlic paste
• Saute till the raw smell of Grind 1/2 cup mint leaves, 1/4 cup coriander leaves and a few green chillies according to taste.
• Grind and keep aside the ginger garlic goes
• Then add the pounded green chilli
• Stir fry for few seconds , then add the carrots and french beans and the little peas
• Stir fry for few minutes
• Grind 1
• Then add the 2 1/2 tbsp of the ground mint,coriander and chilli paste .
• Saute for few seconds only
• Then add the turmeric powder, red chilli powder ,cumin powder, coriander powder and salt to taste
• Mix it in then add the beaten curd
• Mix it in and saute for 30-40 seconds
• Next add the washed and soaked rice
• Stir fry rice for few minutes Then add sugar
• Stir it in
• Then add the mint leaves
• Mix it all together
• Then add hot water when the water comes to boil cover and cook on low flame till done.
• Then add the roasted cashews
• Stir the rice a little ti check if done and there should be no residue .
• Done .
• Serve with curd / raita and salad