Fresh mint and peas pulao: Cucumber raita with fried onions and garlic

While I boiled rice for this pulao, I was not quite sure what I was going to do with it.  I love the smell of rice boiling that fills the air. It made me think of the versatility of rice. From biryani, pulao, khichdi, to idli, dhokla, rice kheer are all favorites. With thoughts of rice based dishes filling my head, I decided to make a quick fresh mint and peas pualo. It was simple with lots of flavor from the fresh mint and some garam masala. I accompanied the pulao with cucumber raita seasoned with fried onion and garlic. The seasoning is optional as cucumber raita tastes great even without additional seasoning with just a little salt and and roasted cumin powder, but I love garlic and enjoyed the taste of caramelized onion and garlic in the yogurt.

 

Ingredients

For the pulao

1 cup rice

1and a half cup frozen peas

1 large onion

chopped mint leaves

bay leaf, black cardamom, cumin seeds, cloves, black pepper

 garam masala

cashews, raisins

cilatnro

salt

ghee

Method

Boil rice with salt. Keep aside

Heat ghee, add the bay leaf, cardamom, cloves, black pepper and cumin seeds. Let it splutter. Add the sliced onion and cashews. Cook on medium heat till the onions start turning brown. Now add the frozen peas, mint leaves, salt and garam masala. Mix this with the rice. Add some fresh mint and cilantro

Raita

2-3 small seedless cucumbers

red chilli powder

1 green chilli

1 clove of garlic

half an onion sliced

1 cup yogurt

salt and sugar to taste
 

Method

Whisk yogurt along with salt and a pinch of sugar. Now grate the cucumbers, squeeze them to remove excess water and mix in the yogurt. Heat oil in a pot and add cumin seeds. Once they splutter add the onion and garlic. Let it cook till golden brown. Add one chopped green chilli. Pour this over the yogurt and mix. Sprinkle some red chilli powder before serving.

Serve along the peas and mint pulao.