Palak Rice Recipe (Indian Spinach Rice)
User Reviews
4.9
87 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
3
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Calories
347 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Indian
Palak Rice Recipe (Indian Spinach Rice)
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Palak Rice, also known as Spinach rice is a healthy variation of the Indian pilaf or pulao made with spinach puree, rice, onions, herbs and spices. This delightful recipe is ready in 30 minutes and makes for a nutritious meal when paired with salad, pickle or raita.
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Ingredients
For spinach puree
- 3 cups roughly chopped spinach (palak) or 1 cup spinach puree
- 1 to 3 green chilies - chopped
- 1 inch ginger - chopped
- 3 to 4 garlic cloves - chopped
Other ingredients for spinach rice
- 1 cup basmati rice or any fragrant or regular rice variety
- 2 tablespoon oil - any neutral flavor oil
- 1 tej patta or Indian bay leaf
- 3 to 4 cloves
- 1 inch cinnamon
- 2 green cardamoms
- 1 mace strand - thin single mace strand and not the whole mace
- 1 small star anise - optional
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 50 grams onion or 1 medium onion thinly sliced or ⅓ cup sliced onions
- 2 to 3 drops of lemon juice - optional
- 1 to 1.25 cups water
- salt as required
Instructions
Preparation
- Rinse basmati rice till the water runs clear of starch. Then soak the rice grains in enough water for 20 to 30 minutes. Later drain the water and keep the soaked rice aside.
- When the rice is soaking, rinse the spinach leaves very well and roughly chop them. You will need 3 cups roughly chopped spinach.
- Now add the spinach leaves in a blender or grinder jar. Also add green chilies, ginger and garlic cloves (all roughly chopped). For a moderatly spicy rice add 2 to 3 green chilies.
- Blend to a smooth puree. Keep covered aside.
Making palak rice
- In a pressure cooker, heat oil.
- Add the following spices and saute them till they splutter - tej patta, cloves, cinnamon, green cardamoms, mace strand, small star anise and cumin seeds.
- Next add thinly sliced onions. Stirring often saute the onions till light golden or golden.
- Add the spinach puree. Stir and saute for 4 to 5 minutes on a low heat.
- Add the rice and mix rice very well.
- Add salt as required and water. 1 cup water gives an al dente rice. For a softer texture in the rice you can add 1.25 cups water. I added 1.25 cups water.
- Stir very well. At this step you can also add a few drops of lemon juice.
- Cover and pressure cook spinach rice for 8 to 9 minutes or 2 to 3 whistles on medium to medium-high heat.
- When the pressure falls down in the cooker on its own, then remove the lid and gently fluff the rice.
- Serve palak rice hot with a side salad or pickle or raita. While serving, if you want you can garnish with some chopped coriander or mint leaves.
- For some protein you can also add pan-fried tofu or paneer. Garnish the spinach rice with either of these.
Notes
- For making the spinach rice in a pot or pan or Instant pot, add water accordingly.
- You can also use frozen spinach. Squeeze all the water from the frozen spinach and blend it with ginger, garlic and green chilies to get 1 cup of spinach puree.
- For the best texture in the palak rice use aged basmati rice. If you don't have basmati rice make the dish with any variety of non-sticky fragrant or regular rice.
- For a richer taste, swap ghee with oil.
- To add more texture, flavor and nutrition consider veggies like carrots, bell pepper, green peas, cauliflower, french beans and sweet corn kernels.
- You can make the spinach pulao spicy by adding more green chilies.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
347kcal
(17%)
Carbohydrates
58g
(19%)
Protein
6g
(12%)
Fat
10g
(15%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
8g
Sodium
472mg
(20%)
Potassium
342mg
(10%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
2830IU
(57%)
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
1mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
1mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
1mg
Vitamin B6
1mg
Vitamin C
21mg
(23%)
Vitamin E
5mg
Vitamin K
146µg
Calcium
80mg
(8%)
Vitamin B9 (Folate)
71µg
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Magnesium
52mg
Phosphorus
105mg
Zinc
1mg
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 3Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 347 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 347kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 58g | 19% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Sodium | 472mg | 20% |
| Potassium | 342mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 2830IU | 57% |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 1mg | |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 1mg | |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 1mg | |
| Vitamin B6 | 1mg | |
| Vitamin C | 21mg | 23% |
| Vitamin E | 5mg | |
| Vitamin K | 146µg | |
| Calcium | 80mg | 8% |
| Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 71µg | |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
| Magnesium | 52mg | 13% |
| Phosphorus | 105mg | |
| Zinc | 1mg |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
87 reviews
Excellent
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