Palak pulav recipe - Spinach pulao recipe

Palak pulav recipe -  Today I am going to share with you all a very simplest, easiest and yummy palak pulao recipe. In India varieties of pulao is made using various vegetables and this pulao is one of them.  It is a healthy one pot meal made with well known leafy vegetable spinach in combination with rice. 

It is a perfect dish to make when you are running out of time to prepare so many things on busy days or in the morning rush, or you have unexpected guests .This is an ideal rice dish that you can pack  in the lunch box along with spicy side dish. 

Though its a very simple dish with few basic ingredients, its a complete meal in itself and fills the stomach. You can add other vegetables such as green peas, carrots, ivy gourds, potatoes and  you will get another version of tasty pulao. Check out other pulao and biryani varieties. Try and enjoy this delicious pulao with your favorite side dish.
 

Palak Pulav Recipe - Spinach Pulao Recipe

Prep time : 15 mins
Cook time : 20 mins
Total time : 35 mins
Recipe type : Main-Pulav
Cuisine : Maharashtrian
Yield : Serves 3 - 4
Author : Vidya Chandrahas

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice ( or any rice)
• 2 cups boiled water
• 1 bunch spinach leaves / palak
• 2 large tomatoes
• 1 large onion
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 1 lemon
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp chilly powder
• 1 ½  tbsp oil
• 1 tsp ghee ( optional)
• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
• Salt as required

Grind to paste

• 6 -7 cloves garlic / lasun
• 1/6" ginger / adrak
• 1 green chilly / hari miirch

For the tempering

• 4 cloves / lavang
• 1/4 " cinnamon / dalchini

Preparation

1. Wash the rice and soak it for 20 minutes.  Make sure to soak the rice at least 15 minutes. 
2. In the meantime, chop the onion and tomato.  Grind the ginger, garlic and green chilli with little bit of water and set aside.

Method

1. Pinch off the stems of spinach and wash them thoroughly.  Chop the spinach and keep it aside.
2. Heat the oil and add the cloves and cinnamon pieces. Add the onion and fry till translucent. 
3. Add the ginger, garlic and chilli paste. Saute till the raw smell disappears.
4. Then add the tomatoes and  saute for 2 minutes.
5. Add the spinach and  saute for 2 -3 minutes.
6. Add the garam masala, chilly powder, turmeric powder and salt. Squeeze a lemon in it. Mix well and stir to combine.
7. Drain the soaked rice and add. Stir to combine.
8. Add 2 cups of boiled water and mix well with a spoon. Now you can add 1 tsp of ghee to it.
9. Cover with lid and cook it on a medium flame for 5 minutes. Then on low flame till the water dries up completely.
10. When it is done, remove from the heat, add the chopped cilantro and mix well.
11. Serve palak pulao with choice of your favorite side dish. I served it with cucumber raita and sprouted chavli usal.

Palak pulav recipe - step by step pictures

1.  Pinch off the stems of spinach and wash them thoroughly.  Chop the spinach and keep it aside.

2.  Heat the oil and add the cloves and cinnamon pieces. Add the onion and fry till translucent. Add the ginger, garlic and chilli paste. Saute till the raw smell disappears. Then add the tomatoes and  saute for 2 minutes.

3.  Add the spinach and  saute for 2 -3 minutes.

4.  Add the garam masala, chilly powder, turmeric powder and salt. Squeeze a lemon in it.

5.  Mix well and stir to combine.

 6.  Drain the soaked rice and add. Stir to combine.

7.  Add 2 cups of boiled water and mix well with a spoon. Now you can add 1 tsp of ghee to it.

8.  Cover with lid and cook it on a medium flame for 5 minutes. Then on low flame till the water dries up completely.

9.  When it is done, remove from the heat, add the chopped cilantro and mix well.

10.  Serve palak pulao with choice of your favorite side dish. I served it with cucumber raita and sprouted chavli usal.