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Palak Rice

Serves 3
30 mins
347 Kcal
Palak rice is a bold and nutritious dish that rather perfectly integrates the goodness of spinach, known as palak, into the fragrant basmati rice. Hailing from the Indian palate and rich in flavours, this dish is an attractive green colour that signifies the freshness of its key ingredient. Here's a flavourful recipe of palak rice. For the palak rice, fresh spinach is blanched first and then ground smooth. This way, the spinach retains its fresh green colour and maintains the nutritional benefits it carries like vitamins A and C and iron. This leafy green is particularly healthy and versatile. The puree of spinach is saut ed with spices together with cumin seeds, ginger, and garlic to make a yummy base that will enhance the dish. Once this mixture is ready, it is combined with parboiled basmati rice that absorbs all the flavours and colours of the spinach mixture while getting cooked, and giving a homogenous taste. Some dishes may also include peas, chopped tomatoes, or other vegetables, adding variety to the texture and nutrition of the dish. Palak rice is often garnished with garam masala and a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness. Fresh cilantro or fried onions add flavour and crunch at the top. Raita, pickles, or a simple salad completes the meal, so it is pretty well-balanced. The whole appeal of this vibrant dish is the healthy and filling choice offered to both vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Palak rice is a good meal or side dish that will make your intimate family dinner more wonderful or some festive occasions. That is great with the wonderful mix of flavours and health benefits that palak rice brings with it as a beloved staple in homes and nutritious inclusion on any plate.

Ingredients required for Palak Rice

  1. 3 cups spinach
  2. 1-3 green chillies
  3. 1 inch ginger
  4. 3-4 garlic
  5. 3-4 cloves
  6. 1 cup basmati rice
  7. 2 tbsp oil
  8. 1 tej patta
  9. 3-4 cloves
  10. 1 inch cinnamon
  11. 2 green cardamoms
  12. 1 tsp cumin seeds
  13. 50 gms onion
  14. 2-3 lemon juice
  15. Salt

Cooking steps for Palak Rice

  1. 1
    Palak rice, made in this way, is a tasty method through which the bright flavours and nutritional benefits can be integrated into a comfort dish of rice.
  2. 2
    This is essentially a very easy, versatile recipe through which one can quickly enjoy a healthy meal in no time. To start with, prepare your key ingredient, spinach.
  3. 3
    You can use 3 cups of rough chopped fresh spinach, or for an even smoother texture, use 1 cup of spinach puree.
  4. 4
    If you are using fresh spinach, wash it, removing all dirt and grits from the leaves. Then just let it sit while getting the rest of the ingredients ready.
  5. 5
    Now, prepare the aroma base for your palak rice. Chop 1 to 3 green chillies, and chop 1-inch ginger along with 3 to 4 garlic cloves.
  6. 6
    These will help your rice acquire fantastic flavours and will add only a note of spice, which is enough to be a highlight of the dish.
  7. 7
    Note: if you want a strong flavour from your green chillies, you can add them in higher numbers.
  8. 8
    After chopping all this, prepare to move on and prepare your rice.
  9. 9
    You will need 1 cup of basmati or other fragrant rice to make the rice. Basmati rice should be washed under cold running water until its water is transparent. This process might also remove excess starch from the rice and reduce its stickiness.
  10. 10
    Submerge the rice in water for 20-30 minutes to hydrate the grains so that they do not cook unevenly and become sticky.
  11. 11
    While rice is soaking, warm up two tablespoons of neutral oil in a large pan over medium. You may use vegetable oil or sunflower oil or whatever doesn't have too much flavour.
  12. 12
    When that's hot, add the tej patta, followed by 3 to 4 cloves, a one-inch piece of cinnamon, two green cardamoms, and a thin strand of mace.
  13. 13
    If you have star anise handy, feel free to add a small portion for added depth of flavour. The aromatic flavours of the whole spices will fill your kitchen.
  14. 14
    Add one teaspoon of cumin seeds after a minute and let them splutter for a few seconds before adding the 50 gms of thinly sliced onions.
  15. 15
    Saut the onions until they turn golden brown, which should take 5-7 minutes.
  16. 16
    The caramelised onions add to the overall depth of flavour in your palak rice.
  17. 17
    Now, when the onions turn golden brown, add chopped green chillies, ginger, and garlic to that pan.
  18. 18
    Saut for one more minute; it would help the spices and aromatics within it to mingle properly. At this point, if you are using the roughly chopped spinach, add it to the pan.
  19. 19
    Stir until the spinach wilts down, and it loses its structure. If you are adding spinach puree, add it directly and cook for two minutes.
  20. 20
    Add the soaked and drained basmati rice to the pan; stir very gently and combine all ingredients of the spinach mixture. This will help rice absorb the spices and the whole flavours very nicely.
  21. 21
    Once cooked, turn off the heat. Leave it covered for another 5 minutes to allow the flavours to penetrate. Finally, fluff the rice with a fork and serve your palak rice hot, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh coriander or a drizzle of ghee if desired.

Shop Ingredients

Garlic (3-4)
113
1
98
1
135
1
126
1
197
1
132
1
167
1
135
1
131
1
Onion (50 gms)
86
1
182
1
30
1
41
1
141
1
68
1
105
1
190
1
101
1
101
1
Oil (2 Tbsp)
148
1
170
1
138
1
144
1
153
1
278
1
144
1
729
1
236
1
175
1
Green Chillies (1-3)
16
1
20
1
27
1
184
1
Cloves (3-4)
117
1
32
1
53
1
110
1
90
1
220
1
195
1
223
1
210
1
118
1
Basmati Rice (1 cup)
89
1
375
1
99
1
339
1
216
1
239
1
105
1
451
1
95
1
299
1
Cumin Seeds (1 Tsp)
60
1
244
1
105
1
34
1
150
1
81
1
196
1
64
1
226
1
85
1
Cinnamon (1 inch)
52
1
45
1
32
1
Lemon Juice (2-3)
37
1
Salt
27
1
21
1
98
1
22
1
50
1
107
1
57
1
105
1
47
1
67
1
Spinach (3 cups)
51
1
40
1
71
1
185
1
74
1
Tej Patta (1)
25
1
18
1
17
1
35
1
36
1
Ginger (1 inch)
25
1
46
1
47
1
109
1
Green Cardamoms (2)
189
1
51
1
250
1
143
1
135
1
252
1
323
1
192
1
209
1
239
1

FAQs

What is Palak Rice?

This staple food is prepared entirely of cooked rice and spinach (palak). Palak Rice is a nutritious and flavourful dish that is rich in vitamins and minerals; of course, with all the vitamins and minerals from the green pureed or chopped spinach combined with colourful rice, it provides an excellent source of nutrients. Palak Rice typically features cumin, garlic, and green chillies as dominant seasonings that blend the earthy taste of spinach with the mildness of rice for something both delicious and visually appealing. It is a popular Indian dish and can be served as a main dish or paired with many other items as a side dish.

How do you make Palak Rice?

First, take fresh leaves of palak and wash thoroughly. Blanch the leaves in boiling water for about a couple of minutes and drain off excess water. Then, put it in a blender and make a fine puree. Heat oil or ghee in a pan; add cumin seeds, chopped onions, and garlic. Mix well till the cumin seeds have turned golden brown. Add turmeric salt and spinach puree. It should thicken; now add cooked basmati rice and gently fold it in so that the rice is nicely coated with the spinach mixture. Cook for a few more minutes, allowing the flavours to meld, and serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lemon.

What goes well with Palak Rice?

Palak rice is versatile and may be served with several side dishes. It is wonderful with yoghurt or raita to add a temper to the rice and perfect with pickles or papadam for crunch. For a proper meal, serve it with dal (lentils) or curry. Its light flavour profile and nutritional benefits make it suitable as a midday or evening meal, good for little kids and grown-ups alike.