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Palak Pulao
Serves 4
25 mins
439 Kcal
Palak Pulao, or Spinach Rice, is a healthy, vibrant one-pot dish that speaks of wholesome goodness from the scrumptious mixing of spinach with the fragrant allure of basmati rice. The beauty of this recipe lies in the colour it lends to the dish: it is rich green, thanks to the use of fresh spinach, which is finely blended and infused into the rice during its final stages of cooking. This is an effortless yet full-of-flavour dish because it is spiced mildly with the aromatics of cumin, cloves, and bay leaves so that the earthy flavour of spinach does not get dominated. Palak Pulao is one of the most loved dishes in Indian cuisine, a perfect blending of taste and health. Rich with iron, fibre, and some essential vitamins through spinach, this pulao is a choice for those who want more greens in their diet without compromising the palate. Preparing Palak Pulao is simple and easy, and it goes well with just about any side dish, ranging from yoghurt or raita to heavy curry. Light, fluff basmati rice infused with spinach's delicate flavour-thus becoming light yet satisfying for a quick lunch or comforting dinner. This pulao can be easily customised by adding vegetables such as peas, carrots, and paneer cubes for texture and flavour. A squeeze of lemon juice or a sprig of fresh coriander added to this dish gives it a tanginess and freshness, letting all the flavours unfold. It's an exciting way of having a healthy, flavourful meal with a nutritional punch from spinach.
Ingredients required for Palak Pulao
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1 tsp ginger
- 3 cup spinach
- 1 tsp garlic
- 2 tsp lime juice
- 2-3 green chilli
- 2 black cardamom
- Salt
- 1/2 cup onion
- 10-12 cashew nuts
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 2-3 clove
- 2 tbsp light olive oil
Cooking steps for Palak Pulao
- 1Begin the recipe for Palak Pulao by washing 2 cups of long-grain rice 2-3 times in cold water until the water runs clear.
- 2After washing, soak the rice in 3 cups of water for 20 minutes.
- 3Take about 3 cups or around 200 gms of fresh spinach. Wash the spinach thoroughly 2-3 times to remove dirt or mud.
- 4After washing, chop the leaves coarsely so that they are easier to blend.
- 5Add the chopped spinach, one teaspoon of ginger, one teaspoon of chopped garlic, and 2-3 green chillies to a blender or mixer.
- 6Add ¼ cup of water and make a smooth puree. This will be the base for the Palak Pulao and will give the rice its rich green colour with mild earthy flavours.
- 7Heat two tablespoons of light olive oil over medium heat in a large pan. Any cooking oil of choice may be substituted. Allow the oil to heat up, allowing it to reach the boiling point.
- 8Add 2-3 whole cloves, 1-2 whole black cardamoms, and 1/2 teaspoon of cumin seeds to the hot oil. Let them crackle briefly, allowing the spices to season the oil.
- 9Add 10-12 cashew nuts to the pan and fry until they lightly tinge gold.
- 10Then, add half a cup of finely chopped onions to the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes until they turn soft and translucent. Stir occasionally for even cooking.
- 11Add the spinach puree to the pan with the saut ed onions and cashews.
- 12Heat it for a minute so the raw aroma of the spinach cooks down. It will thicken a little and give a pleasant aroma as it cooks.
- 13Drain all the excess water from the rice once it has soaked for the required time.
- 14Add it to the pan with the spinach mixture. Stir gently to coat every grain of rice evenly, but do not break up the rice grains.
- 15Add 3 cups of water to the pan, maintaining the ratio of 1.5 cups for every cup of rice. Adjust the water, if needed, based on the type of rice used.
- 16Add salt to taste and stir gently to ensure it is evenly distributed.
- 17Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the flame to low, cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid, and let it cook for 12-15 minutes without opening the lid. This allows the rice to absorb the water and flavours evenly.
- 18Turn off the heat and let the pan sit, covered, for 5-7 minutes to allow the rice to finish cooking in its steam. Fluff the rice gently with a fork, ensuring the grains remain intact.
- 19Serve the Palak Pulao hot with raita, papad, or a curry of your choice, and enjoy this nutritious and flavourful dish.