Green rice with baby potatoes

A delicious rice recipe using baby potatoes flavored with mint coriander and Indian spices. This recipe works very well when you are cooking for guests or for a elaborate weekend lunch with family!

Ingredients:

• 25 small/baby potatoes
• 1 cup mint leaves
• 1/2 cup coriander leaves
• 1 cup rice
• 1 red onion (medium sized)
• 2-3 garlic pods
• 1/2 inch ginger piece
• 1/2 tsp garam masala powder
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder or as per taste
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 tsp jeera (cumin seeds) or shah jeera
• 1-2 cardamom
• 2 whole black pepper
• 2 green chillies
• 3 tbsp coconut milk
• 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
• salt to taste
• oil/ghee as needed

Method:

Soak rice in water for 20 minutes

In a pan bring water to boil with salt. Add the baby potatoes and let it boil until the potatoes become a little soft. Do not over cook them. When done, let them cool a little and peel the skins and set aside.

Mean while cook the soaked rice 90% with the bay leaf, 1/4 tsp cumin seeds, green chillies, cardamom, and black pepper. You could do it in a pressure cooker or in a deep pan. I did not use the pressure cooker as I wanted to have control over the cooking of the rice. The rice should not be mushy. When done, fluff them with a fork and set aside.

Now add oil/ghee in a pan and when it becomes hot, add the boiled potatoes and saute them with a little salt and chilli powder until they become crisp and golden brown. Fry them in medium hot flame. (Alternatively you could deep fry the potatoes)

When done remove the potatoes, set aside and in the same pan, add the onions, ginger, garlic and saute until soft and translucent. Add the mint and coriander leaves and saute further for a minute. Cool this onion, mint mixture and grind the mixture with fennel seeds and coconut milk to make a smooth puree.

Now add, some oil in a pan and add 1/4 tsp cumin seeds and add the ground onion, mint masala mixture. Saute for 2 minutes and add the fried potatoes,salt to it.

Add the garam masala and saute for a minute. Add the cooked rice to it and mix well carefully. Adjust the seasoning as necessary at this stage.  Close the lid and let the rice cook in a low flame for 5-6 minutes.

Serve hot with raita of your choice!