Annapurna: Vegetarian Broccoli Rice Recipe

Friday 22 January 2016

Vegetarian Broccoli Rice Recipe

Broccoli is considered among the world's healthiest foods for its numerous health benefits . It is not only rich in fiber, minerals and vitamins but is also low in calories.

I love Broccoli for many other reasons also apart from its countless health benefits. The first reason being that it is a happy vegetable in my house, secondly it cooks very fast and there are various ways in which we can use this super veggie.

Broccoli cane be blanched and had as a salad , it tastes awesome in soups , stir fries and pastas. I usually make Broccoli Cutlet and Broccoli stir fry for lunch box. This time i tried making a rice dish using Broccoli and it was a hit too !

Broccoli rice is a very simple and quick fried rice dish. The liberal use of whole spices adds in the required spiciness and Mint leaves make the rice more flavorful. I have also used carrots along with Broccoli florets in this recipe which make the rice colorful and appealing. Can use left over rice also to make this dish. Hope you all will like this simple yet healthy and flavorful Broccoli Rice dish :)

Ingredients:

1 cup Basmati or long grain rice
2 cup Broccoli florets
1 large Carrot chopped length wise
2 Onions sliced
1/2 cup fresh Mint leaves
1 tbsp lemon juice.
2 green chilies
1/2 inch ginger piece
4-5 cloves of garlic
1 small piece of Cinnamon stick
1 tsp cumin seeds
3-4 Black Pepper corn
2-3 cloves
1 Black Cardamom
1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
1 tsp garam masala
Salt to taste
3 tbsp Oil

Method:

Wash the rice , drain and keep aside for at least 20 minutes. Now take a sauce pan and add 2 1/2 cups water to it. Heat it on a medium flame. Once the water starts boiling add the lemon juice , salt and soaked rice to it. Cook the rice uncovered on a low flame until it is almost done. The rice should be soft yet grain separated. Put off the flame and drain the water if any. Spread the rice and let it cool down. Fluff it with a fork and keep aside.

2. Make a paste of green chilies, ginger and garlic using a grinder. In a wok, heat the oil on a medium flame. Add in the Cumin seeds. Once the seeds crackle , add the whole spices like Cinnamon, Black Cardamom, Clove and Black pepper corns one by one. Saute them until fragrant.

3. Now add in the chili, ginger garlic paste and saute well. Once the raw smell of garlic is gone add the Onions and saute until the Onions turn golden brown.

4. Add the Turmeric powder followed by the chopped Carrots and Broccoli florets. Sprinkle salt. (Be careful while adding salt as rice already has salt). Mix very well and saute for 1-2 minutes. Now cover cook for 3-4 minutes. Do not cook more as Broccoli looses its nutrition and taste when overcooked. The broccoli should be little crunchy.

5. Add the cooked rice , sprinkle the garam masala powder and mint leaves and mix well. Take care not to break the rice grains while doing so. Cover cook for another 3-4 minutes on a low flame .