Awesome Betel Leaf Rice

I’m a member of many food groups on social media and enjoy reading all the interesting and lip smacking dishes posted everyday. It is very seldom that I make any of these. I usually read them all and come up with my own dish. Awesome Betel Leaf Rice  is one of these.  It was posted by another member and I am grateful for the idea of using betel leaves with rice.  I got interested because of the unusual ingredient “Betel Leaf” which is not something  one uses in daily cooking.  So I changed it to suit our requirements and made Awesome Betel Leaf Rice at one of my cooking classes. The guest loved it and went away satisfied and with a copy of my recipe. Keep in mind that while the betel leaf is unique to this recipe, you can mix and match ingredients to suit your requirements or the availability of ingredients in the kitchen. The original recipe had mince in it too.  I made a vegetarian version which was very well received. And I was very happy with the way Awesome Betel Leaf Rice turned out. The betel leaf has a long and interesting history in Indian culture as a symbol of love and hospitality and I absolutely loved using it in a rice recipe.  In fact you can incorporate its flavour into anything you choose whether it is savoury or sweet.  Come on, be adventurous.  You never know what you will come up with.

Beginning To Make The Awesome Betel Leaf Rice

2 rice cooker cups basmati rice; 1 cup of frozen peas; 1 medium onion sliced; 2 green chilies, slit; 3 Betel leaves, rolled and cut into long ribbons; 3 cloves garlic, crushed; 1/2 inch ginger, crushed; 1 tsp coriander powder; juice of 1 medium sized lime; 1 tbsp olive oil; salt to taste; 33/4 cups water

Heat pan and stir fry onions and green chilies. Stir in the ginger and garlic  and when the raw smell is gone, add the betel leaves and the peas. Stir fry a few minutes on medium heat. Add the coriander powder. Mix and add the washed and drained rice. Stir fry till all the grains are coated. Add lime juice and salt to taste. Transfer to cooker add the water. Cook till done. Serve hot.

Enjoy a superb burst of flavor that will leave your guests wondering about the magic ingredient.

NB: Do not use too many betel leaves. Three is just right for this quantity of rice and has a subtle, enticing flavour.

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