Banana leaf rice , Mangalorean special

Hello dear readers! Today I will share an interesting rice recipe . My friend Pallavi Patil prepares this rice often in large quantities for her family in Belgaum . She was kind enough to share the recipe and it became a super hit at our place too . The house smells divine when the rice packets are steamed.

Recipe credit : Pallavi Patil

Ingredients for the rice :

Basmathi rice – 2 cups

Ghee – 2 tbsp

Shahi jeera – 1/2 tsp

Water – 4 cups

Salt – to taste

Ingredients for the masala :

Onion – 1

Tomato – 1

Grated coconut – 1 cup

Byadgi chillies – 8

Coriander seeds – 2 tsp

Cumin seeds – 1 tsp

Cardamom – 2

Ginger – 1/2 ” piece

Garlic – 3 cloves

Other ingredients :

Ghee – 2 tbsp

Salt – to taste

Fresh cream – 2 tbsp

Banana leaves – 8 approx or as much as needed

Method for rice :

1. Add all the ingredients mentioned in an electric rice cooker .
2. Cook until done .
3. Or cook it in a vessel until done .
4. Add all the ingredients in a wide bottomed vessel .
5. Take a boil , check salt to taste and simmer .
6. Cook it until done
7. Or pressure cook for exact one whistle .
8. Keep it aside .

Method for the masala :

1. Grind all the ingredients under the masala list to a fine paste .
2. Heat ghee in a pan and saute the masala until the raw smell disappears .
3. Lastly add fresh cream , salt to taste and mix well .
4. Once done switch off flame and keep it ready.

Final procedure :

1. Wash the banana leaves well and wipe it carefully .
2. Slightly fade it directly over flame for few seconds  .
3. This is done so that it is easy to fold and make parcels .
4. Cut the leaves into two and take one leaf at a time .
5. Arrange rice in the centre .
6. Add masala over the rice .
7. Fold the leaf carefully .
8. Seal it with toothpick or tie it with thread .
9. Pack it in the aluminium foil .
10. Steam it in an steamer for 15 to minutes .
11. Serve it hot .

My notes :

• You may also add some fried onions  .
• You may also also add fried dry fruits .

Pictorial presentation :