Baby Potato-Green Rice

A Simple, flavorful and a quick lunchbox recipe that can be prepared under 30 mins of time. Baby Potato – Green Rice is made by grinding greens (mint leaves and coriander leaves) and aromatic spices and then adding it to the rice and baby potatoes. Mint Leaves/Pudina has a lot of health benefits such as aiding digestion, promoting respiratory health, and weight loss. They are rich in Vitamins and minerals. Coriander leaves has many surprising health benefits such as lowering sugar levels, lowering bad cholesterol, aiding digestion, protecting skin and brain health. They are rich in Vitamins, Iron and Calcium. 

Planning & Pre-Preparation: 10 mins

Soaking Time: 20 mins

Cooking time: 15 mins.

Ingredients 1:

1. Basmati Rice - 1 Cup
2. Water for soaking – 1 Cup
3. Butter - 2 Tbsp.
4. Onion - 1 (Medium)
5. Baby Potato (boiled & peeled) – 500 gms
6. Water – 1.5 Cups 
7. Garam Masala - 1 Tsp
8. Salt - Per taste 
9. Kasturi Methi – 3 Tsp.

Ingredients 2 - Masala Paste:

1. Cardamom/Elachi - 2 
2. Cloves/Lavang – 2
3. Cumin Seeds/ Jeera – 1 Tsp
4. Pepper – 1 Tsp
5. Coriander leaves - Handful
6. Mint/ Pudina – Handful
7. Ginger (roughly chopped) - 1 Tbsp.
8. Green Chillies – 1-2
9. Water – ¼ Cup

Directions:

1. Soak basmati rice in water for about 20 mins. After 20 mins, drain off the water and keep it aside.
2. To a mixer grinder, add Ingredients 2 – Masala Paste & water and grind into a fine paste. Masala paste is ready and keep it aside.
3. To a pressure cooker, add butter and then add onion and fry until translucent.
4. Once fried, add boiled and peeled baby potatoes and mix well.
5. Once mixed add masala paste and mix well.
6. When mixed, add the soaked and drained rice. Mix well.
7. Now add water, Garam Masala and Salt. Mix well.
8. Then crush and add Kasturi Methi. 
9. Cover & cook on high flame for 3 whistles and turn off the flame.
10. Once the pressure settles down, open and gently mix the rice. Baby Potato – Green Rice is ready. 

Points to be noted:

1. You can also add 1 Tbsp. ghee and 1 Tbsp. Oil instead of 2 Tbsp. of butter. Butter enhances the taste and flavour.
2. Different rice brands may require different levels of water. Kindly read packet instructions for water quantity. I have used India Gate Basmati Rice – Super variety. 
3. Do not release the pressure. Let the pressure automatically settle down to get the right rice texture.
4. After opening the cooker use a fork or backside of spatula to gently mix the rice in order to retain its fluffiness. Over mixing results in mushing of rice.