Corn N Methi Pulao with Cucumber Raita

Ingredients :

Basmatic rice -- 2 cups
Corn -- 1 cup ( boiled )
Methi leaves -- 1 cup , cleaned n drained
Onion -- julienned -- 1 no.
Freshly ground garam masala -- 1/2 tsp ( optional )
Cinnamon -- 1 in piece
Cardamom -- 2 nos.
Cloves -- 2 nos.
Star anise -- 1 no.
GG ( ginger garlic ) paste -- 2 tsp
Green chilly -- 1 no. , slit open
Cumin seeds -- 1/2 tsp
Peppercorns -- 1/4 tsp
Ghee -- 2 tsp
Oil -- 1 tbsp
Curd -- 2 tbsp
Water -- 3 cups

To grind :

Onion -- 1/2 no.
Green chillies -- 2 nos.

Garnish :

Coriander leaves -- 2 tbsp

Method :

Grind the ingredients given in the seperate table to a fine paste . Soak the basmati rice for min 10 mts. Take a Kadai and pour both the ghee and the oil. Add the cardamom, cinnamon ,cloves , peppercorns, cumin seeds and the star anise. Fry for 30 secs and add the julienned onions and fry for a minute or until turns light golden . Add the salt .Drop in the GG paste and fry till u get rid of the raw smell. Now add in the onion paste and stir well . Cover and continue to cook over medium low flame for 3 minutes . We don want the raw smell. Then comes the veggies, Now drop in the methi leaves and scald well until it gets totally wilt .. Then add in the boiled corn and mix well. Add in the soaked rice and fry this in the oil for a minute so that the rice won't be sticky when cooked. Finally add the curd and combine well with the rice..

Add the 3 cups of water and mix well. Cook this mixture uncovered till it starts boiling .. Then cover it and keep the heat in medium low and cook for 10 minutes. Fluff the rice with fork .Garnish with coriander leaves ... Serve with raita..


Cucuumber Raita :

Ingredients :

Cucumber -- 3 nos. ( I used Persian cucumber, so it was small )
Curd / yoghurt -- 3/4 cup
Hing -- a pinch
Salt -- to taste
Coriander leaves -- 1 tbsp
Lemon juice -- 1/2 tsp ( optional)

Seasoning : ( totally optional )

Method :

Peel the cucumber and cut into pieces . Add the chopped cucumber into the serving bowl and add the curd . Slightly mix the curd with cucumber. Drop in the salt and hing and mix well. U may add the lemon juice if ur curd is not sour.. Finally add the coriander leaves and combine well. Some may like seasoning the raita.. If u wish , go ahead and do it ..Toady I's in a hurry to wind up the cooking , so had it as such.. Good for the hot weather ..

Happy eating guys !!!

Source: Kitchen Secrets