Coriander Pulao Recipe | Kothamalli Pulao | Cilantro Pea Pulao | Coriander Leaves Rice - Easy Lunch Box Recipe

Here, weather is getting down and for the past week it was dull, gloomy and rainy days. I couldn't click any picture and that's the reason I did not post any recipe. After a week,  yesterday got some sun shine and managed to click few pictures of this Coriander Pulao which I prepared for kids lunch box. This recipe is an easy one pot meal and is perfect for lunch box.

I often make Mint and coriander leaves/cilantro based pulao or biryani with vegetables or Chicken but never shared it in my space here. Cilantro Pulao is not only easy to make and also healthy, flavor rich rice recipe that is perfect recipe lunch box, potluck party, weekend lunch and so on. I added only peas to the pulao but you can also add mixed vegetables or even chicken too. Now off to the recipe..

Coriander Pulao Recipe

Prep Time : 10 minutes | Cook Time : 25-30 minutes

Recipe Category : Main Course | Recipe Cuisine : Indian

Serves 6

Ingredients

1. Basmati Rice   1 cup(250 ml size)
2. Onion   2 medium(sliced)
3. Green Chilli   4 no.(slit open)
4. Mint    3 tbsp(chopped)
5. Cilantro/Coriander leaves    2 tbsp(chopped)
6. Turmeric Powder   1/4 tsp
7. Garam Masala Powder   1/2 tsp
8. Curd/Plain Yogurt    1/4 cup
9. Water   2 cups
10. Peas or Mixed Vegetable    1/2 cup
11. Salt   to taste

To Wet Grind

1. Cilantro   1 small bunch
2. Green chilli    2 no.
3. Ginger   1" piece
4. Garlic   2 fat cloves
5. Fennel seeds   1/2 tsp
6. Pepper corns   1/2 tsp

To Temper

1. Oil or Ghee  2 Tbsp
2. Jeera/Cumin seeds   1/4 tsp 
3. Cinnamon   2" long stick
4. Clove   5 no.
5. Cardamom   3 no.
6. Bay leaf  1 no.
7. Kalpaasi Poo   few(optional)

Method

• First wash cilantro and cut the thick stems out and use the leaves with thin stems and take it in a blender, to it add green chilli, ginger, garlic, fennel seeds, pepper corns and add 1 or 2 tbsp of water and grind it to a fine or coarse paste and keep aside.
• Heat oil or ghee in a pressure cooker or 5 qt pan, when it is hot add the tempering ingredients one by one and fry well, then add sliced onion, green chilli, mint leaves, cilantro and saute until onion turns soft and translucent. 
• After that add ground cilantro paste, turmeric powder, pinch of salt and sugar and saute until the raw smell leaves.
• Then add green peas or mixed vegetables and stir fry for a minute and add curd and mix everything well.
• Now add garam masala powder, enough salt and stir fry for 2-3 minutes.
• And add soaked and drained basmati rice and mix gently with the cilantro peas masala and stir fry for 1 minute.
• After that add water, mix well and cook for 1 or 2 whistle or until rice is done.
• That's it..Flavorful Cilantro Peas Pulao ready. Serve or pack for lunch box with Raita.

Notes:
I used slightly sour curd, so it was perfect for the pulao but if using fresh curd you can use lemon juice(Add lemon juice along with water and cook).
For Vegan option skip curd and use 1 ripe tomato chopped and little lemon juice.

Step By Step Coriander Pulao Recipe:
First grind the ingredients under the heading "to wet grind" and keep aside. Wash and soak basmati rice for minimum 15-20 minutes before adding it to the recipe.

Sorry for the bad lighting in the step wise pictures, I took pics at 6.30 in the morning with kitchen yellow lights, and after 8.30 took the pulao with some decent sun light.