Mint Rice(Pudina Pulav)

Mint is well known for improving our digestion system.Here is a very simple and quick recipe.Its called the pudina pulav(Mint Rice).We usually enjoy this recipe on a weekend every month.

Ingredients:
Basmati rice-1cup
Mint leaves(washed and made into a paste)-6 tbsp
Onions finely chopped-1 cup
Green chilli-2.
bay leaf-3
cinnamon stick-2 small pieces
garam masala-1-2tsp
red chilli powder-1tsp
salt
oil/butter-2tbsp
ginger garlic paste-1 tsp
turmeric powder-1/2 tsp


Procedure:
1)Wash the mint leaves and make them into a paste along with the green chillis.Add apprx 3 to 4 tbsp water if required.
2)Wash the basmati rice,drain the water and kep it aside for 15 min.
3)In a pan,add oil/butter cinnamon stick,bay leaf and fry them for a min.
4)Add onions,ginger garlic paste and fry them till tender or light brown in color.
5)Now add salt,garam masala,red chilli powder,turmeric,the mint paste and fry all of them for apprx 15 min.
6)When the mint leaves are done add the basmati rice and mix well.Adjust spices and salt  as required.Mix it on medium fla me for 5 min and take off the heat.
7)In a rice cooker cook the rice mixture by adding 1 and 1/2 to 2 cups of water.
8)Serve with raita.


Raita:
Yogurt-1/2 cup
onions finely chopped-1/4 cup or less
salt

1)Beat the yogurt to make a smooth paste and add 1/4 cup water.The mixture should look like thick but free flowing yogurt barter.
2)Add the onions ,salt and mix well
3)Keep the raita in refregirator.

P.S:The rice can also be cooked outside with 2 cups water.The spices like garam masala can be ignored if required.But it usually tastes good with it.

Storage:Mint rice is edible for 2 days if refrigerated.