This is one of the easiest and tastiest ways to consume spinach! Make it in under 30 minutes! We would go there to dine on occasions like birthdays and our parents’ anniversary. Being regulars, we always ordered the same things. My mom would always order Spinach/palak rice. We too became attached to this green veg pulao over the years. Then she started preparing it at home as well. So my association with this vegan rice dish goes way back! Plus we are South Indians and rice is our staple diet. So I blame it on my genes! This flavored rice recipe is my mother’s and I still make it the way she used to but now I make it in the Instant Pot. It’s so easy to cook rice-based dishes in it. Cooking dishes like a pilaf, pulao, biryani, or fried rice is tricky because the grains need to be separate and not turn mushy. When making such recipes in the IP, it’s important to remember the water to rice ratio. It’s always 1:1. So 1 cup of rice would need 1 cup of water. Also, if cooking with Basmati rice, it helps to soak it for 15 minutes prior to cooking. This step ensures that the grains are long, and separated after being cooked. Cooking time for rice can range from 4 to 8 minutes. Using the pot-in-pot method, you can simultaneously cook something else along with it and save time.
This is a great recipe in which to sneak in some greens. Spinach itself is nutritious as it is rich in vitamins, fiber, and protein. It’s a vegan and gluten-free one-pot meal. Can be made in the Instant pot or on a stovetop.Works great with leftover rice.Can be made in 30 minutes.Extremely flavorful and visually appetizing.
Rice - Basmati rice is best suited for this recipe. Select longer grains that have a slight golden hue. Spinach - I have used baby spinach, but you can use regular spinach or even mixed greens. Other veggies - Onions, tomato, and green peas. Feel free to add more veggies if needed. Spices - Bay leaf, cloves, cinnamon, cloves, and cumin seeds give this recipe an intense earthy and aromatic flavor. Ginger, garlic, and serrano peppers for the required heat and flavor.
Instant Pot
Here’s what you need to do to make this Indian Spinach rice recipe in the Instant Pot: This green veg pulao can be prepared for lunches, dinner, brunches, family get-together, etc. You can even pack it in lunchboxes. No matter what the occasion, this garlic-flavored Indian spinach rice recipe is hearty, comforting, and appetizing. Add this palak rice to your St.Patrick’s Day menu and watch your loved ones go crazy over it! BTW, while we are on this topic, here is a fun collection of non-alcoholic drinks to serve on this day! Another way to cut cooking time is to skip blanching the spinach. Just chop them and add them along with the other veggies. The dish will not have vivid green color though. Instead of water, you can also cook this with coconut milk. Or use water and coconut milk in equal proportions. For a different flavor, add 1-2 tablespoons of sambhar powder along with the spices. Feel free to use a combination of spices and experiment to suit your taste. This green veg pulao works great with leftover rice as well. Instead of the Instant pot, you can make this in a regular pressure cooker as well. Like this recipe? Please show your love by leaving a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest to see more delicious vegetarian and vegan recipes and what I’m getting up to.
