Spicy Pineapple Rice

Human brain is amazing. Have you ever realized that? Not only can it hold so many memories, but can also come up with plans in seconds even when unprepared for. Something like that happened today. I had a whole pineapple which started giving a ripe smell. I cut it and it was ripe alright, but not very sweet. It was neither sour nor sweet. What do I do with it? I could've just sprinkled it with some pepper and salt or some sugar and consumed. Then there wouldn't be this post. Would it?

 Suddenly I remembered that I used to make onion and pineapple subzi similar to my Mango Onion Subzi. All I used to do was use pineapple in the place of green mango. I had no time to make rotis today, so I converted this into a single pot meal. It tasted amazing and do check out the notes to see what all you can make out of this. I used fresh pineapple, but you could use canned one with the same results. Just drain and use.

Ingredients:
Pineapple chunks - 2 cups (fresh ones or canned. If using canned, drain and then measure)
Basmathi rice - 1 1/2 cups soaked in water for 20 minutes
Water - 3 cups (I cooked it on the stove top in a pan. If you are using pressure cooker, use just 2 1/2 cups)
Red Onions - 2 sliced
Oil - 4 TBSP
Salt - to taste
Red chillies - 2 broken
Curry leaves - few
Mustard - 1 tsp
Fenugreek seeds - 1 tsp
Broken cashews - 3 TBSP (optional)
Turmeric - a big pinch
Red Chilli powder - 3/4 tsp or to taste (If you are using extra hot chilli powder, reduce it to 1/4 tsp)
Coriander Cumin powder - 2 tsp
Mango powder or Amchoor powder - 1/2 tsp (optional I used it since the pineapple was not sour)
Sugar - 2 TBSP (It brings out the flavor very well. You can skip it)
Cilantro - for garnishing (optional)

Method:
In a pan, heat oil. When hot, add mustard seeds. When they splutter, add broken red chillies, curry leaves, fenugreek seeds and cashews. Stir till they are toasted. Add Onions, turmeric and some salt. Stir to combine. When onions are cooked, add pineapple chunks, coriander cumin powder, red chilli powder, sugar, amchoor powder and mix well. Meanwhile bring the water to a boil. Add the soaked, rinsed rice to the pot. Stir and pour the boiling water to the pan. Let it come to a boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat and cover with a lid and let it cook till all the water is absorbed. Adjust the salt if needed and garnish with cilantro if using. Serve with any kind of raita or just plain yogurt.

Notes:
You can make many variations of this rice. Add some green peas for color. Add some coconut at the end. Since pineapple and coconut marry very well, it should taste very well. Instead, you can use part water and part coconut milk to cook the rice for an even yummier rice.

Enjoy!!