Mint Rice / Pudina Rice

Mint rice is a simple and easy to make variety rice and it tastes different from the usual pulao varieties.I learnt this recipe from my MIL and its my hubby's favourite too.It serves as a great lunchbox recipe.

Ingredients:

Rice(I used sona masoori)	1 cup
Mint leaves	1 cup tightly packed
Onion	1
Garlic cloves	2
Ginger	A small piece
Green chilli (see note below)	1 -2
Coconut grated	4 tblsp
Cumin seeds	1 tsp
Peanuts	2-3 tblsp
Oil	1 tblsp

Method:

• Take out mint leaves from the stem and rinse well.
• Cook rice and spread the cooked rice on a wide plate.Drizzle little oil to prevent rice from becoming dry.
• Heat a kadai with little oil,add green chilli,garlic,a small piece of onion and fry for 2 mins.Add the mint leaves and just keep in flame till it wilts and slightly reduce in volume.No need to fry it for long time.Allow to cool.
• Grind the above sauted mint leaves along with ginger and fresh grated coconut using little water to a paste.
• Heat Oil in a kadai and add the peanuts and fry till its roasted well.Now add the cumin seeds followed by onion and fry till onion turns translucent.
• Add the ground mint paste,salt and fry well till the raw smell goes off . Add the cooked rice and gently mix so that the rice is mixed well with the mint paste.Cover the kadai with a lid and keep the flame to the lowest and cook for 2-3 mins.Mint rice is ready to serve.I served it with cucumber raita and fryums.

Note:

• Add green chilli according to your spice level.
• Peanuts add a nice crunch to this recipe.If you don't prefer peanuts,add cashewnuts instead and proceed.