The word spinach or Palak{Indian name} reminds us of Popeye and his biceps. Rice is a staple food of India. It has a diversified food culture and people of one state adapt recipes of other states with broad mind. With every day a new recipe popping up, I don’t really know the origin of Palak Pulao. Only pre-cooking work needs time. Once all the chopping, grinding is done, cooking happens in no matter of time. I am at a loss of words to explain the taste of this Palak Pulao. You need to taste it to relish it. Serve this Palak Pulao with raitha or plain curd.
Palak Pulao/Pulav Ingredients:
- Rice – 1 cup
- Onion – 1
- Tomato – 1
- Garlic cloves – 2-3 (optional)
- Oil – 2 Tbsp
- Salt
- Lemon Juice – 1 tsp
Pulao/Pulav Paste Ingredients:
- Palak / Spinach – 1 bunch or approx 2 cups
- Ananas Hoovu/Star Anise/Chakkra moggu – 1
- Coriander Leaves or Cilantro – 1/2 cup
- Red Chillies – 4
- Onion – 1/2
- Grated Coconut – 1/2 cup
How to Prepare:
- Chop the Onion lengthwise. Cut Tomatoes into small pieces. Keep aside.
- Wash Rice, drain the water. Keep aside.
- Wash the Palak/Spinach leaves well. Take a mixer grinder jar, add washed Palak and all other Pulav Paste Ingredients listed above and grind into a smooth paste.
- Heat Oil in cooker container; add Garlic and fry for a min. Then add Onions and fry until the Onions look a bit transparent.
- Now add chopped Tomatoes and fry for 2 min.
- Add washed and drained Rice and fry until the Rice turns a bit thick and the color of the Rice turns pure white.
- At this stage add ground paste and fry till the water content disappears. Now add 2 cups of water to this mixture and stir for a min. Add Salt and Lemon Juice and close the pressure cooker lid and allow the contents to cook.
- When you hear the 3 cooker whistles, switch to low flame and continue to heat for about 2 minutes. Then switch off the flame and allow the cooker pressure to ease.
Now Palak Pulao/Pulav is ready to serve. You may serve Pulav with Raita or with plain curd.
I tried the pudina palao, it was just amazing and all my guests love it to the last morsel. Good stuff, am just enjoying the recipes!
hema…
amazing,,,
I tried your palak pulav yesterday….turned out really well…..relished it with sambhar .