VEG BRINJI RICE

Hi friends,
Veg brinji rice is a recipe that is included in traditional South Indian wedding platter. It can be prepared at home, of course, with a little effort. But, when you make it and serve, you will know that it was worth your effort.

Ingredients:

• Basmati rice / raw rice - 1 cup

• Coconut milk - 3/4 cup

• Water - 1 and 1/4 cup
• Onions - 2, medium sized, sliced
• Tomatoes - 1, small sized, sliced

• Ginger - 1 inch piece, finely chopped 
• Garlic - 6 cloves, finely chopped
• Green chillies - 2, vertically slit

• Pudina or mint leaves - a handful 
• Coriander leaves - a few

• Carrot -  chopped- 1/2 cup
• Beans - chopped - 1/2 cup
• Potatoes - chopped - 1/2 cup

• Green peas - 1/4 cup 
• Ghee or clarified butter - 1 tablespoon
• Oil - 1 tablespoon + 2 tablespoons 

• Cinnamon - 1 inch piece 
• Cloves - 4 
• Cardamom - 1
• Bay leaf - 1
• Cashews - 6
• Bread pieces or rusk pieces - 4

• Salt - to taste 
• Red chilli powder - 1 teaspoon 
• Garam Masala powder - 1/4 teaspoon 
• Juice of half a lemon

Method:

• Soak the basmati rice in water for 30 minutes 
• Heat ghee and oil in a pressure cooker 
• Add the cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and bay leaf
• Add the chopped ginger, garlic and green chillies 
• Sauté well 
• Add the chopped onions
• Sauté well till the onions turn golden brown 
• Add the mint leaves and sauté well
• Add the tomatoes 
• Sauté well till the tomatoes become mushy
• Add the salt, red chilli powder and garam masala powder
• Sauté well 
• Add the chopped carrot, Chopped beans, chopped potatoes and green peas
• Sauté well  
• Add the basmati rice 
• Pour the coconut Milk and water
• Add the coriander leaves
• Cook in the pressure cooker for 1 whistle followed by 2 minutes in sim flame
• While it is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of oil
• Add the cashews and roast them well

• Remove and keep aside
• Break the rusk into smaller pieces 

• Add the rusk pieces in the oil in batches and fry them till golden brown 
• Remove and keep aside 

• Once the pressure releases, open the pressure cooker 

• Add the juice of half a lemon

• Add the fried cashews and rusk pieces
• Mix well
• Serve hot with accompaniment of your choice

Tips:

• You may chop the vegetables as per your choice 
• You can use bread slices instead of rusk
• You can use fresh peas or dried green peas in this recipe 
• In case, you are using dried green peas, make sure you soak them in water for about 8 hours before using it for this recipe

Please do try this recipe and enjoy the art of cooking!!!

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