Name: Palak Rice | Palak Pulao | Spinach Pulao
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 cup Basmati rice, (washed and soaked in water for 30 minutes); 1/2 cup blanched spinach puree, (refer notes); 3/4 cup chopped mixed veggies, (I used frozen); 2 tbsp ghee/oil; 1 tsp cumin seeds; Whole spices (1 bay leaf, 4 cloves, 4 peppercorns, 4 green cardamom, 1 inch cinnamon), (optional); 1/2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste; 1 cup sliced onions; 1/2 tsp chilli powder/cayenne pepper, (adjust a per desired heat); 1/2 tsp garam masala; 1 tsp coriander powder; 1/4 tsp turmeric powder; 1 & 3/4 cup vegetable stock or water; Salt, ( to taste)

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Palak Rice | Palak chawal | Palak Pulao/Palak Pulav | Spinach pulao, an Indian style spinach rice recipe is a delicious and healthy one-pot meal. Learn how to make palak rice recipe with step-by-step pictures. Vegan & Gluten-free!

This spinach rice is a quick, nutritious and wholesome one-pot dish with some added veggies for more flavor and texture. Instead of veggies you can add small cubes of paneer or tofu, and enjoy it as palak paneer rice or palak tofu rice for a vegan version. So yummy!

Table of Contents

WHAT IS PALAK?

Spinach is known as ‘palak’ in Hindi. There are so many different types of palak recipes in the Indian cuisine, from the ever so popular palak paneer, to other curries like dal palak, saag paneer, palak kadhi, palak aloo gravy, chole palak, palak chicken, to rice dishes like palak biryani, palak chawal/palak rice, palak corn rice or corn palak pulao, dal palak khichdi, flatbreads like palak paratha, palak poori, and even snacks like croquettes and spinach rice balls. The list is endless!

In fact, if you have some leftovers of this spinach rice, simply add some boiled potatoes, mash everything together, and make spinach rice balls. Coat with breadcrumbs and bake or deep fry until golden brown. You could also shape them as a patty and shallow fry them instead, a much quicker option. Try adding some cheese in the center to make it even more interesting for the little ones. They will love it!

This palak pulav is a good option for kids lunchbox. The natural green colored rice dotted with more colorful veggies makes it appealing and appetizing. Even a fussy eater or a kid who dislikes spinach would enjoy this spinach pulao.

Palak rice, some raita or a chopped salad, pickle and papad, that’s a simple fuss-free, soul-satisfying meal ready within 30 minutes, even quicker if you have some pre-made spinach puree. Or chiffonade spinach and add it directly along with other veggies. How to chiffonade spinach? Stack the spinach leaves one over the other, then roll them up, and slice the roll into thin ribbons. As simple! You could use other leafy greens too along with spinach in this recipe for an added nutritional boost.

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE PALAK RICE | INDIAN STYLE SPINACH RICE PILAF

1.In a heavy bottomed pan, heat ghee or oil, add cumin seeds, once it crackles add the whole spices and sauté until fragrant.

2.Add sliced onions and sauté on medium heat until translucent.

3.Add ginger garlic paste, sauté until fragrant.

4.Add spinach puree, cook for 2-3 minutes over medium-low heat.

5.Add the veggies, sauté for another minute.

6.Add the red chilli powder, garam masala, coriander powder, and turmeric powder. Sauté for a minute on low heat.

7.Add the soaked and drained rice, mix gently for a minute taking care not to break the rice grains.

8.Add vegetable stock/water, stir everything gently. Check for seasoning, add salt accordingly if needed. If using water, season it well with salt. The water should taste salty for the pulao to have some taste. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer covered, for about 10 minutes or until all the water has been absorbed by the rice. Take the pan off the heat and set aside. Leave undisturbed for 15 minutes. Then gently fluff it with a fork.

NOTE

HOW TO MAKE PALAK PUREE?

Submerge palak greens in hot, boiling water for about 30 seconds to 1 minute or until it shrinks and wilts. Then drain the water immediately and transfer the spinach to a bowl with cold water. This process stops the cooking process and also brightens the color of the spinach. You can also freeze spinach after blanching if you intend using it later. Use 225 grams/ half a pound of spinach for 1/2 cup blanched spinach puree.

HOW TO MAKE PALAK RICE | SPINACH RICE | PALAK PULAO? HOW TO PREPARE PALAK RICE?