Spinach rice

Hello folks…back with yet another super easy and a one-pot recipe. I have been making spinach rice for my little one ( albeit the spices ) but never got around to make the adult version of it.

Its a favorite with my little one and makes for less war between us during mealtimes . The fact that its also healthy , naturally makes me a happy mommy !! Since last few days, I was toying with the idea of making it for us as well someday and yesterday was the day . Also, I was not in the mood to cook something elaborate. So , this was it for me !! Simple, one-pot and aromatic Spinach rice. There are many variations of it, as is with most Indian delicacies…Here is mine :)

Spinach rice

Ingredients :

Raw rice ( I used Basmati ), washed and drained  - 1.5 cups
Spinach leaves  -   from 1 large bunch or 2 small bunches
Cloves  -     3
Cinnamon - 1 inch stick
Bay leaf  -   1
Black cardamom - 1
Onion, sliced - 1 large
Tomato, chopped - 1 medium
Turmeric powder  - a pinch
Green chillies - 2
Ginger  - 1 inch piece
Garlic  -  3-4 cloves
Oil/ ghee -  1 tbsp
Salt  -  to taste

Method :

1.    Wash spinach leaves and blanch. Cool and grind it to a fine paste. Keep aside.
2.    Grind together ginger , garlic and green chillies to a paste.
3.    In a pan, heat oil. Add cloves, cinnamon, bay leaf and black cardamom. Stir only until a nice
       aroma comes out ( do not fry too much )
4.    Next, add the sliced onions and sauté until golden brown.
5.    Now, add the ginger-garlic-green chillies paste and stir.
6.    Mix in chopped tomatoes and turmeric powder and cook till tomatoes turn
       mushy.
7.    Now, comes the spinach (palak ) paste. Stir for a few seconds.
8.    Lastly, add the  rice and mix very gently so as to not break the rice grains.
9.   Add about 2 - 2.5 cups ( depending upon the type of rice ) of water and bring to a boil.  Then,
      lower the heat and let it simmer (close the  lid) on low heat till the rice is done.
10. Serve hot with raita, papad and pickle…Slurrrppp !!