Delicious Palak Rice Recipe Infused with ADF Soul’s Mango Pickles

You can say that Palak rice is another comfort food alongside Khichdi, wouldn't you agree? It offers a unique way to enjoy plain rice. The recipe is just as easy to make as khichdi. Palak rice is packed with nutrients and flavour, which makes it a wholesome meal that is perfect for lunch or dinner. In fact, it uses even fewer ingredients! 

This Palak Rice recipe is a delicious treat, even for kids who are picky eaters about cooked vegetables. The addition of spinach not only adds a vibrant colour to the dish but also boosts its nutritional value. It's a great way to sneak some extra greens into your diet. 

Let's see how to prepare this Palak Rice recipe with minimal ingredients and a quick cooking time. Moreover, with ADF Soul’s Mango Chutney on the side, you can add a sweet and tangy twist to this already flavourful dish. Enjoy a balanced and satisfying meal with this easy-to-make Palak Rice recipe!

Comfort food is the best kind of medicine.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Make Palak Rice

Spinach is a powerhouse of nutrients, providing iron and vitamins, while pairing it with pickles it adds the required probiotics for gut health. So, let's get into the recipe quickly! Check out the ingredients that are easily available at home, along with a detailed procedure to make this Palak recipe delicious!

Ingredients

• Rice: 1 cup Basmati rice (or any other fragrant rice variety) - rinsed
• Spinach (Palak): 2 - 3 cups fresh spinach leaves - washed and roughly chopped 

Optional Vegetables: 

• Carrot thinly sliced 
• 1 medium onion thinly sliced diced
• 1 medium potato - diced 
• ½ cup peas 
• 1 - 2 green chillies - slit or chopped (adjust based on spice preference)
• 10 - 12 mint leaves - finely chopped (or coriander leaves)

Spices: 

• 1.5 tablespoons ghee or cooking oil
• ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 small bay leaf
• 3 - 4 cloves
• 1 inch cinnamon stick
• 2 green cardamoms
• 1 mace strand 
• 1 small star anise 
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder 
• 2 - 3 drops lemon juice (optional)
• ½ - ¾ teaspoon garam masala (adjust to taste)
• Salt to taste
• 1 - 1.25 cups water
• 2 - 3 drops lemon juice (optional)

Procedure

Wash and Prep
Wash the basmati rice several times, swirling it with cold water, until the water becomes clear. Soak the rice for 30 minutes. Wash the spinach leaves thoroughly and roughly chop them. If using, carrots and potatoes clean, scrape and chop them into thin slices. Slit or chop the green chillies according to your spice preference.  Finely chop the mint leaves.

Sauté the Aromatics
Heat ghee or oil in a pan or pot over medium heat. Add cumin seeds, bay leaf, cloves, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, mace, and star anise. Let them splutter for a few seconds until it turns aromatic.

Add Onions and Optional Vegetables
Add the sliced onions to the pan and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. If using, add the diced potatoes and carrots at this point in time. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until slightly softened. You can add water if needed to prevent sticking.

Cook the Spinach
Add the chopped spinach to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted and the moisture evaporates, roughly 3-5 minutes. The spinach should shrink a little bit more than the original size.

Spice it Up
Add turmeric powder and sauté for a minute, stirring constantly to avoid burning the spice. Add garam masala and salt to taste. Stir well to combine the spices with the spinach mixture.

Cook the Rice
If you soak the rice, drain it thoroughly. Add the drained rice to the pan with the cooked spinach mixture. Pour in 1 - 1.25 cups of water and adjust based on your preference for a drier or moister rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover the pan, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and fluffy.

Serving and Garnishing
Once the rice is cooked, turn off the heat and let it stand covered for 5 minutes to allow the flavours to combine. Fluff the rice gently with a fork and add a squeeze of lemon juice if using. Garnish with chopped fresh coriander leaves or mint leaves and serve hot.

Tip to make the authentic Palak Rice Recipe

Now that you know how to make palak rice by following the easy-to-make recipe. Here are a few secret tips to enhance your Palak Rice to get those spot-on flavours in your palate. 

Use Pressure Cooker
You can entirely make this recipe in the pressure cooker if you are short on time. Instead of cooking the rice in a separate vessel. Wash the rice, then add the cooked spinach puree to the cooker. However, it is very crucial to adjust the water as it should not dilute the flavours or make it less juicy in consistency.  

Spinach
You can use fresh chopped spinach or pre-made spinach purée in this recipe. Both works well! Just choose fresh, bright green spinach for the best flavour.

Flavour Boosters
For an extra layer of aroma, try tempering the oil with cumin seeds, mustard seeds, and a pinch of hing (asafoetida) before adding the onions. While green chillies add a nice touch, explore using fragrant spices like cloves, cardamom pods, and a bay leaf during the tempering stage.

Add Vegetables
Don't limit yourself to onions. Try adding diced, bell peppers, or even chopped cauliflower for extra flavour and texture. Fresh herbs like cilantro or chopped curry leaves can be stirred in at the end for a burst of freshness.

See also: Lemon Rice with a Twist: Infuse Flavor with Soul Foods Pickles

Appetizing Serving Suggestions for Palak Rice

Turn your spinach dish into a yummy full meal with our tasty side ideas. Perfect for lunch or dinner, these sides will make your spinach even more satisfying and delicious. It's simple to make and tastes amazing!

Soul’s Mango Pickle in Olive Oil: Made with freshly sourced mangoes and 100% pure extra virgin olive oil, mango pickle has a sweet and tangy flavour profile that perfectly complements the richness of palak rice. Aromatic spices like mustard seeds, fenugreek, and turmeric add depth of flavour to the pickle, further enhancing the overall taste experience.

Healthy Raita: A dollop of cooling raita, a yoghurt-based condiment with chopped vegetables and herbs, helps balance the spice level of the dish and adds a creamy contrast. You can choose from various raita options like cucumber raita, onion raita, or even a boondi raita with fried lentil balls for added texture.

Crispy Papad: These thin, crispy papads are a classic accompaniment to Indian meals. They add a delightful crunch and a savoury flavour that complements the Palak Rice. Simply heat the papad according to package instructions for a quick and satisfying addition.

Nutritious Salad: A side salad with a light vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the Palak Rice. Opt for a simple salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions, or get creative with a chopped vegetable salad with a tangy dressing.

Conclusion

We hope you have followed this easy-to-follow Palak Rice recipe. It works well for busy weeknights or as a comforting weekend meal. Packed with nutrients and customizable with your favourite vegetables, it's a great way to boost your green intake and please picky eaters as well. Don't forget to explore the different side dish options, like creamy raita or a refreshing salad, to create a perfectly balanced and delicious meal. So, get creative in the kitchen, whip up a batch of Palak Rice, and pair it with authentic ADF Soul's Mango Pickle to elevate the flavours. Try it out! Happy cooking!