Jalapeno - Brussels Sprouts Mixed Vegetable Rice with Handpounded Rice(Kaikutthal Arisi)

We have all heard the benefits of eating brown rice over white polished rice but brown rice is not something that most gravitate towards naturally. It finds its place because of advice to reduce the consumption of white rice. Back home I have heard of kaikutthal arisi in Tamil or hand pounded rice and that is the only kind of rice that is eaten in my grandparent's house. Far more tastier than white rice but appearance wise rather dull and not pearly and pretty white when cooked. Moreover the hand pounded would do very well as replacement to brown rice.

I chanced upon hand pounded sona masoori rice Mantra 24 organic brand which I bought in my local Indian grocery store. Hand pounded rice is very similar in texture and taste to the white rice but looks a lot like and is very similar to the brown rice we buy here.

Unlike brown rice, cooking hand pounded rice is not that much different from regular white rice. I usually wash it soak it for a bit and then cook it in the pressure cooker. Light fluffy rice is ready quickly thereafter. Once I have some new rice variety on hand I am satisfied only when i have tried some flavored rice with it. That's how this rice happened.

Get the vegetables ready. Saute the onions,chilies and tomatoes in a pressure cooker after seasoning with whole spices or garam masala.
Add in the vegetables and saute for a few minutes. Now add the rice and mix it in.
Add the required amount of water and let it come to a boil. Add salt. Close the lid and cook for 2 whistles. Let cool and fluff the rice.

I have plenty of jalapeno on hand and ever since my mother mentioned about the brussel sprouts biryani that she made I have been wanting to make it too. I also had some cluster beans which went into the mix. The thing about vegetable that normally don't get used in flavored rice is the fact that you taste something new.

Jalapeno - Brussels Sprouts Mixed Vegetable Rice with Handpounded Rice(Kaikutthal Arisi)
Preparation Time:15 minutes
Cooking Time:25 minutes
Ingredients

1. 1 1/2 cups of Sona Masoori Handpounded rice, washed and soaked for about 20 minutes
2. about 10-15 Brussel Sprouts trimmed and cut in half
3. 10-15 jalapeno cut in half and seeds removed
4. about 1 cup of chopped cluster beans or green beans chopped into 1 - 1 1/2 inch pieces
5. 6-8 green chilies (spicy kind) split in half
6. 1 1/2 cup of thinly sliced onions
7. 2 ripe tomatoes chopped fine
8. 1 tsp pepper powder
9. 1 tsp garam masala powder or whole spices (1/4 inch piece of cinnamon, 3-4 cloves and star Anise)
10. 2 tsp turmeric powder
11. salt to taste
12. 2-3 tsp of oil

Method

1. Wash the handpounded rice and soak for about 20 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a pressure cooker, add the whole spices if using or the garam masala. Add the onions, slit green chilies and saute till the onions turn slightly brown.
3. Add the turmeric powder and mix. Add in the tomatoes and saute till it gets mushy.
4. Add the jalapenos and chopped beans and saute for 3-4 minutes. Add the brussel sprouts, saute for a couple of minutes more.
5. Add the soaked and drained rice and saute for 2-3 minutes. Add the required amount of water. This kind of rice requires 1 1/2 cups of water for every cup of rice if soaked ( and about 2 cups of water if not soaked).
6. Add salt, let the water come to a boil. Close the lid and cook in medium heat for 2 whistles. Let it cool and fluff the rice.

Serve with raita of choice.

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