Fresh coriander leaves are available in abundance especially during winters here in USA.I am very fond of coriander and consider it as one of the versatile spices/herb and use it liberally. Posting a healthy tasty coriander rice dish which I often make during winters.

Coriander Rice Recipe
Ingredients:
2 cups rice washed and soaked in water for half an hour and drained
big bunch of coriander washed and chopped
4 green chillis
4 tbsp grated fresh coconut
1" ginger piece
6 garlic flakes
2 chopped tomatoes
whole spices (6 cloves,4 green cardamoms, 1? pieces cinnamon-2,bay leaf)
salt
2 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)

1) Heat 1 tsp oil in a frying dish and add the chopped coriander(kothimira)and green chillis and fry till rawness disappears approx 2 minutes.Remove from fire and cool.
2) Grind the fried coriander and green chillis along with coconut,ginger and garlic to a paste adding little water.
3) Heat 2 tbsp of ghee (clarified butter) in a kadia or cooking vessel and add the whole spices and fry for a few seconds.
4)Now add the ground coriander paste and fry for 3 minutes and then add the chopped tomatoes. Fry for another 2-3 minutes.

5)Now add the drained rice and mix well and fry for 2 minutes.Add salt.

6)Add 3 1/2 glasses of water and cook covered till done.Garnish with fried cashewnuts and chopped coriander.

Serve hot with raita(perugu pachadi).Raita is a yogurt based salad made with chopped onions , tomatoes,green chillis,salt and coriander leaves.It is generally served with all flavoured rice dishes like biryanis and pulaos.

Thanks to Shailaja