Description
Palak Rice is a flavorful Indian one-pot dish made with spinach and basmati rice, cooked with aromatic spices. It’s quick, nutritious, and perfect for a simple meal.
Ingredients
- 3 cups palak (spinach)
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1 potato, diced
- 1/4 cup green peas (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cloves
- 2 green cardamom
- 1 inch cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder
- 2 medium onions, sliced
- 5–6 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ginger
- 2 green chilies
- 1/2 cup coriander leaves with stems
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1 3/4 cups water
Instructions
- Wash the rice 3–4 times until water runs clear. Soak in water for at least 1 hour.
- In a grinder, add spinach, coriander leaves, ginger, garlic, green chilies, cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom. Grind into a smooth paste.
- Heat ghee in a pot. Add cumin seeds and bay leaf, then sauté sliced onions until lightly browned.
- Add diced potatoes, coriander powder, and red chili powder. Cook for 2–3 minutes.
- Add the spinach puree and cook for about 2 minutes without overcooking.
- Add green peas, salt, and soaked rice. Mix gently and sauté for 2 minutes.
- Pour in hot water, stir, cover, and cook on low heat for about 10 minutes until rice is done.
- Let it rest covered for 5 minutes, then fluff gently and serve hot.
Notes
- Garnish with coriander leaves, fried onions, cashews, or peanuts.
- Use oil instead of ghee for a vegan version.
- Add mint leaves to the puree for extra freshness.
- Adjust water based on rice quality.
- A little lemon juice helps keep rice fluffy.
- Avoid overcooking or stirring too much to prevent sticky rice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: One-Pot
- Cuisine: Indian