Mint and Cilantro Stalks Pulao

Generally , I try to use every bit of edible parts of a vegetable or fruit .Now Nithu's "Best Out of Waste" Event had made me get more creative and make much more better use of the ingredients.When it comes to herbs like cilantro and mint , I use whole cilantro from leaves to stalks everytime I buy it but when it comes to mint I use most of the tender stalks along with the leaves but never used the too fibrous stalks for cooking.Not any more, now I used them in making a delicious and healthy pulao.

Okay , let's see how this healthy and delicious pulao is made--------

Main Ingredients :

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Raw Rice...........................2cups

Cilantro Stalks only.............from 2 bunches

Mint Stalks only..................from 2 bunches

Green Chillies......................8(small)

Ginger.................................2inch

Garlic Cloves......................2

Seasoning Ingredients :

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Canola Oil...........................1tbsp

Ghee...................................2tsp

Bay Leaf..............................1

Fennel Seeds........................2tsp

Cumin Seeds........................1tsp

Cardamom...........................3

Cloves..................................3

Nutmeg................................small piece

Cinnamon.............................small stick

Lemon Juice.........................2tsp

Salt......................................to taste

Cashews..........................few(toasted unsalted)

Garnish :

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Sliced Onions...................1(med)

Cilantro............................few leaves

Mint.................................few leaves

Preparation :

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First rinse the rice well and cook it.Let it cool while we prepare the cilantro-mint masala.Take the cilantro and mint stalks and rinse them in water and cut them into small pieces.

Grind the cilantro stalks and mint stalks into a paste.

Place both the pastes into the blender jar and add chillies ,ginger, garlic and little salt .Blend them into a paste.

Place a pan on the stove on med-high heat add oil/ghee to the pan and once it heats up add the bay leaf,fennel seeds,cumin seeds,cinnamon stick,nutmeg,cloves and cardamom.Fry till the spices turn golden brown.

Now add the cilantro-mint masala paste to the pan of spices and fry for few minutes till the raw smell is gone.

Once the green paste starts to brown switch off the stove and add the cooled rice.Adjust salt now(remember we added salt while grinding).

Add toasted unsalted cashewnuts and lemon juice and mix well.

Mint & Cilantro Stalks Pulao is ready to be served.We had it as is with some onions drizzled with lemon juice.

This recipe goes to Best Out of Waste Event hosted by Nithu Bala.

This goes to Think Spice : Think GaramMasala Event hosted by Sara and started by Sunitha.

This goes to Healing Foods: Onion Event hosted by Priya started by Siri .