Coriander Rice (Indian Cilantro Rice)

Ingredients:

For Paste:

• 1 cup Cilantro or coriander leaves
• 1 Green chili
• ½ inch Ginger
• 2 Cloves Garlic
• 2 tablespoons Water

For Coriander Rice:

• 1 cup Basmati rice
• 2 tablespoons Oil
• 2 Cloves
• 2 Green cardamoms
• 1 Bay leaf
• ½ cup Red onion sliced
• ½ cup Green peas
• ½ cup Cauliflower (gobi) cut into small florets
• ½ cup Carrot chopped
• Salt to taste
• 1 cup Water for Instant pot (1 ¼ cups Water for stovetop pressure cooker)

Instructions 

1. Prep: Take basmati rice in a colander and wash under running cold water until water runs clear. Or rinse them in a bowl 2-3 times or until water is not cloudy anymore. Keep it aside as needed.
2. Make Coriander Paste: Take coriander, ginger, garlic and green chili in a small grinder jar. Add 2-3 tablespoons of water and grind it into a smooth paste.

Making Coriander Rice Recipe:

1. Turn on the instant pot with saute mode and add oil. Once hot, add whole spices (cloves, green cardamom and bay leaf). Saute for 30-40 seconds or until you get a nice aroma of the spices.
2. Add sliced onions and cook for 2-3 minutes or until they start to get soft and translucent.
3. Add veggies (carrot, peas, cauliflower) and salt. Add prepared paste and mix. If it is sticking to the bottom then turn off the saute mode.
4. Add rice and water. Stir well to combine. Scrape the bottom of the instant pot liner if anything is stuck otherwise you’ll get burn notice.
5. Cover with a lid, keep the valve to sealing. Cook on manual (high pressure) for 4 minutes. Then do QPR (quick pressure release) by positioning the valve to venting manually. Once the pin drops, open the lid.
6. Stovetop Pressure Cooker: Cook on high heat for 2 whistles. Let the pressure go down naturally.
7. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes in the liner itself without disturbing. Then fluff it up and mix gently using a fork or spatula.

Notes

10 minutes of resting time after opening the lid is a must. During this resting time, rice grain will firm up. So they don’t get break or mushy while fluffing up or mixing.

Variations:

1. Try adding a handful of mint leaves along with coriander while making a paste. It adds a nice refreshing flavor.
2. Skip adding veggies and keep it plain.
3. Add your choice of other veggies like broccoli, green beans, sweet corn, baby corn, eggplant, zucchini, cabbage, broccoli, bell pepper, etc.