Pudina Pulao is one of that easiest pulaos you can make for your Kids lunch box as this is cooked in a pressure cooker and gets done very quickly. I have used a ground paste for this pulao. If you have time in the morning to grind you can, else this can be done ahead the previous night itself.
I normally soak the rice and grind the masala for saving time on the cooking. I add some directly to the rice apart from grinding it. Sometimes I feel so stressed to remove it all before packing. Kids are so fussy about the parsing they have to do. If I leave it to them, more than half the rice will be parsed along with the leaves. So I always make sure I do that.
This Pudina Pulao is similar to the Colour rice we make.
Another combination I carry for my lunch box is this combination of colour rice with Brinjal curry
This is the final lunch box dish that I wanted to share, hoping to come with some more ideas than just rice next time.

Pudina Pulao
Ingredients Needed:
For the Rice
1 cup Basmati Rice
1/2 cup Onions chopped as juliennes
2 Cloves
1 inch Cinnamon
2 Cardamom
1 Bay Leaf
1/2 cup Mint Leaves
2 tbsp Curds
Salt to taste
2 tsp Butter
For the Ground Paste
1/2 cup Mint Leaves
Coriander Leaves handful
2 to 3 Green Chillies
1 tsp Ginger Garlic paste
2 tbsp Coconut
1/2 cup Onions
For the Ground Paste
Take all the ingredients and make a fine paste with enough water. Keep it aside.
For the Pulao
Wash and soak the rice for 15 mins.
Heat a Pressure Cooker with butter, saute all the whole spices for a couple of minutes.
Next, add the onions, and fry well. When it starts to turn colour, add the mint leaves. Saute for a couple of mins.
Now add the ground paste and simmer till it is nicely cooked.
Add drained rice, curds, salt and adjust the seasoning.
Add 2 cups water and let it come to a boil.
Cover with the lid and pressure cook for 3 whistles.
Serve or pack for your kid's lunch box.
Recipe
Pudina Pulao
Ingredients
For the Rice
- 1 cup Basmati Rice
- 1/2 cup Onions chopped as juliennes
- 2 Cloves
- 1 inch Cinnamon
- 2 Cardamom
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1/2 cup Mint leaves
- 2 tbsp Curds
- Salt to taste
- 2 tsp Butter
For the Ground Paste
- 1/2 cup Mint leaves
- Coriander leaves handful
- 2 to 3 Green Chillies
- 1 tsp Ginger Garlic paste
- 2 tbsp Coconut
- 1/2 cup Onions
Instructions
For the Ground Paste
- Take all the ingredients and make a fine paste with enough water. Keep it aside.
For the Pulao
- Wash and soak the rice for 15 mins.
- Heat a Pressure Cooker with butter, saute all the whole spices for a couple of minutes.
- Next, add the onions, and fry well. When it starts to turn colour, add the mint leaves. Saute for a couple of mins.
- Now add the ground paste and simmer till it is nicely cooked.
- Add drained rice, curds, salt and adjust the seasoning.
- Add 2 cups water and let it come to a boil.
- Cover with the lid and pressure cook for 3 whistles.
- Serve or pack for your kid's lunch box.
vaishalisabnani says
This rice must be so aromatic , I love mint and it is very good to use this herb in monsoon . Must try this rice , since I have never used mint in rice .
Sandhiya says
I can feel the aroma of this rice and it must be delicious with simple raita.
Sharmila - The Happie Friends Potpourri Corner says
Pudina flavour is always a delight when had with rice.. Simple yummy Pulao...
Sapana says
With mint, i can imagine how flavorful the pulao would have been; Lovely.
Mayuri Patel says
This rice must have tasted so good. I love the smell and taste of mint.
Jyoti says
I hv never used mint in pulao. This looks like a flavorful recipe. The whole spices mist add the the overall aroma. Good choice for kids lunchbox
Sowmya:) says
This is one of my favourite mixed rice. Your dish makes me want to grab it right off the screen now!
Ruchi indu says
Yes I too make this often and almost the same Way Y you have made.. Nice option for kids lunch box
Padmajha PJ says
This used to be EO's favorite a few years back. Now she has got bored of it and we have switched over to other rice varieties. Will have to make it sometime soon and see if LO will like it...