Kashmiri Walnut and Spinach Pulao with Aromatic Spices
A flavorful vegetarian rice dish combining fluffy basmati, tender spinach, crunchy walnuts, and subtle Kashmiri spices for a wholesome meal. This indian-inspired rice & grains (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs washed and chopped fresh spinach, roughly chopped walnuts, ghee or clarified butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups, rinsed and soaked for 30 minutes basmati rice
- 5 oz, washed and chopped fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup, roughly chopped walnuts
- 3 tbsp ghee or clarified butter
- 1 (2-inch) cinnamon stick
- 4, lightly crushed green cardamom pods
- 3 whole cloves
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 medium, thinly sliced onion
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 1 inch piece, grated fresh ginger
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 cups water
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp ghee in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 cinnamon stick, 4 crushed green cardamom pods, 3 whole cloves, and 1 bay leaf. Sauté spices for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium thinly sliced onion and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown. Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 inch grated fresh ginger, sautéing for 1 minute more.
- Step 3: Drain 1 1/2 cups soaked basmati rice and add to the pan, stirring gently to coat the rice with the spiced ghee mixture. Toast the rice for 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Add 3 cups water and 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 12 minutes.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, in a separate pan, lightly toast 1/2 cup roughly chopped walnuts over medium heat until fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Step 6: After 12 minutes, gently fold in 5 oz chopped fresh spinach, toasted walnuts, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint leaves into the rice. Cover and cook another 5 minutes until rice is tender and spinach is wilted.
- Step 7: Remove from heat, fluff rice gently with a fork, and serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Kashmiri Walnut and Spinach Pulao with Aromatic Spices take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Kashmiri Walnut and Spinach Pulao with Aromatic Spices?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep roughly chopped walnuts from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Kashmiri Walnut and Spinach Pulao with Aromatic Spices?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Kashmiri Walnut and Spinach Pulao with Aromatic Spices for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Kashmiri Walnut and Spinach Pulao with Aromatic Spices vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
