Pomegranate Rice - A Guest Post by Radhika @ Food for 7 Stages of Life

Light, Colourful and Packed with Flavours: Pomegranate Rice

It’s been more than 2 weeks since I came back from one month of fulfilled trip to India. All I did was eating-dozing, eating-napping and eating-sleeping… You know the drift! I am still getting over the fact that the holidays are over, I am not yet ready to post anything as of now… While the writer’s block is keeping away from penning my fabulous time at home, the cold winter kept me away from work and confined to bed with nasty chest infection! So while I recover from both cold and homesickness, a dear blogger friend Radhika has agreed to guest post in my absence. In spite of her busy schedule with a new and exciting job of parenting to beautiful baby girl, Radhika kindly agreed to share her favourite recipe of Pomegranate Rice with all of here in my virtual kitchen. Radhika’s gorgeous blog Food for 7 stages of Life is alive with her beautiful photography, exciting recipes, and lovely anecdotes. From simple home cooking to fusion cooking, her blog has everything and more. You can’t just help but marvel at her innovative and unique recipes and wonder how you didn’t think of cooking it before?! Thank you Radhika for gracing my virtual kitchen with yet another interesting and winning recipe. Please follow her on Twitter or join her fan club on Facebook to find more about her and her recipes.

Ingredients for Pomegranate Rice

Can’t believe it is already 2 months since my little one arrived. It has been so delightful to watch her growing everyday. Her coos and aaahs has been a treat to our ears and her precious smile has been so infectious. Just like me Sia of Monsoon spice has been enjoying her little bundle of joy and now they are in India to spend time with her family. Hence I am @ Monsoon Spice presenting you one of my favourite recipes. I thank Sia for this opportunity to share my recipe with her readers.

 Pomegranate Rice

Since I left India I have never tasted a good pomegranate. Every time I buy one, it is sour and seedy that it becomes really hard to eat. When I was expecting I was advised to eat Pom at least once in a week. But it was really challenging to eat the fruit as is. So I had to find other means for adding it to my diet. When Amma told me about this recipe I felt this would be of some help to me. The sourness actually makes this easy-peasy Pomegranate Rice taste good. This is a very promising recipe if you are looking for new lunch box ideas for your family. I hope you will like it as we do.

Ingredients used in making Pomegranate Rice

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Pomegranate Rice
Prep Time: 5 Mins
Cooking Time: 10-15 mins
Serves: 2 People
Spice Level: Low
Recipe Level: Easy/Beginner
Shelf Life: Best served fresh but can be refrigerated for 2 days
Serving Suggestion: Serve it hot with papads or chips

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Ingredients:
½ cup freshly squeezed Pomegranate Juice
2 cup cooked Basmati Rice
1 tbsp Oil
1/8 tsp Mustard Seeds
1/8 tsp Cumin Seeds
½ tsp Chana Dhal
½ tsp Urad Dhal
1/8 tsp Hing/Asafoetida
4 Dry Red Chillies
Handful of Curry Leaves
Salt to taste
1/8 tsp Pepper Powder or to taste

A Touch of Pink: Pomegranate Rice

Method:

1. Extract pomegranate seeds and throw it in a blender. Pulse it couple of times without grinding the seeds. This will yield fresh juice. Strain the juice and remove the seeds.
2. In a skillet, add oil. When it is hot add mustard seeds and allow it to splutter.
3. Add cumin seeds, chana dhal. Fry it for few seconds then add urad dhal, hing, red chili, curry leaves.
4. When colour of dhal changes to golden brown add pomegranate juice. Bring it to boil add salt, pepper powder and allow it to thicken in a low flame.
5. Turn off the flame, add cooked rice and gently stir to combine.
6. Serve this delicious Pomegranate Rice hot with papdams or chips.