Simple Palak Pulav

Ingredients:

Oil - 5 tbsp

Ghee - 1 tbsp

Cashews - 4-5 Optional

Bay leaf - 1

Fennel seeds - 1 tsp

Onion - 1 medium thinly sliced

Green chilli - 1 slit

Basmati rice - 1 cup, soaked for 20 minutes

Water - 1 ½  cup

To grind:

Palak - 1 cup tightly packed

Garlic - 15 cloves

Ginger - 1 inch piece chopped

Green chilli - 3 (adjust if spicy variety)

Water - ½ cup

Instructions:

1. Grind the ingredients under To grind to a fine paste adding water little by little.

2. In a pressure cooker, add oil + ghee, bay leaves, fennel seeds, onions, green chillies and saute till onions are soft.

3. Add the ground paste and salt to the pressure cooker. Cook it covered in low flame for 10 minutes (Do not pressure cook).

4. After 10 minutes, we can see oil oozing out. At that stage add 1 ½  cups of water, bring it to a boil and add rice to it.

5. Once the water boils along with rice, check for seasoning.

6. Close the lid, add the weight, lower the flame and pressure cook for 10 minutes.

7. Let the pressure subside. Open the lid, fluff it with a fork and serve with Raita.