Carrot Rice

It happens sometimes, that you haven’t planned for lunch box & you are running out of time. Then the quick fix usually will be lemon rice or puliogare if you are a rice eater. If you want to make your rice bit healthier & nutritionally rice then here is a recipe. It works great if you are looking for an easy rice recipe for a small gathering or for a lazy lunch too. You can have it as it is or with tomato sauce or even with curds & pickles.

It is flavourful & rich with dry fruits & simple spices. I need not tell about carrot which is one great vegetable, nutritionally rich.

Preparation time: 20 - 30 minutes

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

Regular white Rice/ Basmati rice – 1 cup

Carrot – 1 large/ 2 medium

Onion – 1 (medium)

Pepper powder - ½ tsp

Cardamom – 3

Cloves - 2

Star anise – 1 piece (optional)

Salt – to taste

Sugar – 1 tsp

Ghee/ butter – 2 tbsp

Dry fruits of choice – 2 tbsp (roasted), I prefer bits of cashews & raisins

Coriander/ curry leaves – for garnishing

Method:

• Wash and cook rice using your regular method. Add salt while cooking rice.
• Wash carrots, peel off and grate. Keep this aside.
• Peel onions, wash and chop or slice thinly, keep it separately.
• Heat ghee/ butter in a wok or pan. Add crushed whole cardamoms, cloves & star anise. Sauté once.
• Add chopped onions, fry until translucent.
• Add grated carrots, sprinkle little salt to taste & pepper powder. Sauté and cook carrots on medium flame. It will take 3-4 minutes.
• Sprinkle sugar.
• Mix cooked rice well. Add roasted nuts/ dry fruits.
• Garnish with chopped coriander/ curry leaves.
• Serve hot or pack in lunch box.

Notes:

• This rice tastes great even without onions.
• Your choice of spices can be added while making it.  
• Green chillis can be used if you like spicy!