Monday, July 5, 2010

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!! Pin It

18 comments:

  1. Wow Champa, that is such an innovative rice. Sounds delish !!!

    Thanks for leaving that comment on such an old post. I appreciate your memory and encouragement. I don't think I did 5 min. of mixing of the dough and no wonder my buns were not all that soft. I will surely try your tips next time I plan to make buns. Thank you very very much :)

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  2. Rice looks wonderfully aromatic and delicous.

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  3. Wow! This spicy pineapple rice would make such a tasty and a wholesome meal :-)

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  4. an amazing and very creative recipe ! and its tempting to the taste buds :)

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  5. It's so tempting and nice...

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  6. Wow wonderful healthy sweet and spicy rice.....looks yummy!!!

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  7. I loved pineapple rice, back when I was in CA.. after coming here in NJ, never got chance to even make it..will surely try your version..

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  8. its very delicious n awesome looking rice ...very new one ..i must try this

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  9. Innovative and Interesting!

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  10. Spicy pineapple rice looks incredible and droolworthy..

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  11. NIce one...
    Ur new template is cooler than the old one!!!

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  12. Very innovative Champa!! Am sure it tasted great!!

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  13. Wow... very creative of you. I liked the simple, everyday spices added to it.

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  14. Spicy pineapple rice looks delicious.

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  15. It sounds great...and the pineapples will sre add a hint of sweet to the rice. Very innovative,

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  16. this is truly a winner..missed this post as I was in vacation!

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