Pudina Pulao ( Pulav) / Mint Rice

I know, I know..... Pudina pulao is a very common and simple dish and almost everybody knows how to make it. But this time, my pulao turned out so good that I was tempted to post it :). I picked the basic recipe from Mrs. Chandri Bhat's collection on Bawarchi and made a few modifications according to my taste. So, here goes the recipe... Enjoi!

Ingredients:

1 cup Pudina / Mint leaves

2 cups Basmati/ Long grain Rice

1 Onion, medium sized

1/2 tsp Mustard seeds

1/2 tsp Jeera/Cumin seeds

2" Cinnamon stick

4-5 Cloves

1/2 Green chilli

1 Dry red chilli, low spiced

1/2 tsp Black pepper

1 tsp Lemon juice

2 tbsp Ghee/Butter

1/2 tsp Ginger-garlic paste (optional)

Salt as per taste

Method:

1. Wash and soak rice in water for about 30 mins; Cook rice such that each grain is separate and keep aside.
2. Dry roast the red chilli and black pepper; Grind it with the mint leaves and green chilli in a blender. DO NOT add water while grinding.
3. Heat ghee or butter in a wok and add mustard seeds. Add Jeera, cinnamon and cloves after the mustard seeds splutter.
4. Chop onions into thin strips and add to the tempering. Add the ginger-garlic paste to this. Add the pudina masala when the onions are almost done. Saute until the onions change color and are completely cooked.
5. Add salt, rice, lemon juice and mix well. Remove from stove and serve hot!