Tulsi Rice

#TulsiRice : #Tulsi - #HolyBasil is a small shrub usually grown by people in India at their court yard or back yard in a specially made platform called thulasi maadam and is worshipped by Hindus.
It is a herb with strong tasty leaves with an aroma and all parts of tulsi are used in Ayurveda to cure many diseases.

Generally after rains we could see small tulsi plants grow abuntantly in our garden and on road sides also.
Last year when we set up our home at Raipur the monsoon had just then started.
After rains we found two small tulsi sapplings and allowed them to grow.
Now we have three big tulsi and 2 small tulsi from seeds of older one.

Daily we used to take 10 to 15 leaves in the morning before morning cuppa.
After the rains lots of tender leaves appeared and became bushy. So in order to consume more leaves I tried tulsi rice yesterday. It was very tasty with nice aroma of tulsi and pepper.

Now to the recipe

Ingredients :
Raw rice                            : 1/2 cup
Tulsi                                  : 1 cup
Cumin seeds                      : 1 tsp
Cashew nuts                      : 4 or 5
Onion                                : 1 medium size
Carrot chopped                 : 1 Tbsp
Green peas                        : 2 Tbsp
Pepper powder                  : 1/2 tsp
Salt                                    : 3/4 tsp [ adjust ]
Gingelly oil                         : 4 tsp

Method :
Wash tulsi leaves well and chop nicely.
Take washed rice in a pressure cooker.
Add 1 cup of water and close the lid with weight on.
Keep on HIGH for 3 whistles.
Allow the steam to completely go off and then open.

Immediately transfer into a wide mouthed basin.
Add two tsp of oil and keep under fan to cool down.

Now thinly slice onion length wise.

Boil carrot and green peas with enough salt till soft.
Transfer into a bowl. Keep aside.

Keep a kadai on a stove over slow flame with 2 tsp of oil.
When the oil is hot add cumin seeds.
After it splutters add cashew nut piece and roast till it becomes golden color.
Then add onions and saute well.

Now add cooked carrot and green peas.
Saute for a minute.

Add tulsi leaves, salt and pepper powder.

Then add the rice also.

Mix well. Turn off the stove and transfer into a serving bowl.
Do not keep on fire for a long time after adding tulsi leaves.

Have with a side dish of your choice.







Other tasty mixed rice varieties you might like to try :