Spiced Cauliflower Palau
from Asha Kumar - Detroit, Michigan, USA

This palau consists of cauliflower florets mixed with spices and cooked with rice to give it a wonderful aroma and flavor.
It can be made as a main dish along with a side dish of green peas & potatoes.
The two dishes complement each other in taste very well.

• 1 cup Basmati rice
• 1 small cauliflower - washed, broken down into florets
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 green chillies - minced
• small piece of ginger - minced
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 3 tblsp vegetable oil
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/4 tsp mustard seeds
• 1/4 tsp cardamom powder (available in Indian stores; this gives a great aroma to the dish)
• 1-1/2 cup water
• 8 - 10 drops of lemon juice
• 10 - 12 cleaned cilantro leaves

Combine chillies, ginger, cilantro leaves, turmeric, salt and black pepper in a blender and mix well.
Keep a large non-stick skillet on heat, add 2 tblsp vegetable oil.
When the oil becomes hot, add cauliflower florets and fry until the florets are light-brown.
Pour in the blended mixture and fry until the florets are half-cooked.
Remove pan from heat and transfer the contents to a bowl.

Keep the pan again on heat, add 1 tblsp vegetable oil.
When the oil is hot, add bay leaves, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, cardamom powder and fry well on low heat.
Keep a lid handy since the mustard seeds will sputter and pop.
Then add the rice and stir-fry for 2 minutes.
Now, add water, raise the heat to high.
Bring the mixture to a full boil, add the spiced florets and mix well.

Reduce the heat to low, close with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 20 - 25 minutes, until all the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender and fluffy.
Add the lemon juice and mix well.
Transfer the rice palau to a serving dish and garnish with cilantro leaves.