Squid Masala Rice / Koonthal Masala Choru

Ingredients:

1/2 kg squid / koonthal, cut into pieces

1 1/2 cup basmati rice

For marination:

1- 1 1/2 tsp chilli powder

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1/2 tsp pepper powder

1/2 tsp ginger-garlic paste

1 tsp lemon juice

salt

For Masala:

4 cardamoms

3 cloves

small piece cinnamon

1 big onion, sliced

3-4 green chillies, slit

1 tomato, chopped

1 tsp ginger-garlic paste

1 sprig curry leaves

1 tbsp yogurt

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp chilli powder

1 tsp garam masala

1/2 tsp pepper powder

3-4 tbsp coriander leaves, chopped

salt to taste

1 1/2-2 tbsp ghee

3-4 tbsp oil

Preparation:

1. Wash and soak the rice in water for 20 minutes.
2. Clean the squid and marinate it with 1 - 1 1/2 tsp chilli powder, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp pepper powder, 1/2 tsp ginger-garlic paste, salt and lemon juice for 15 minutes.
3. Heat 2-3 tbsp oil in a thick bottomed pan and fry the marinated squid and keep it aside.
4. In the same pan, add little oil if required and add cardamoms, cloves, cinnamon, sliced onion and saute well adding little salt.
5. Add slit green chillies, ginger-garlic paste, chopped tomato and curry leaves and saute well till tomatoes are soft and cooked.
6. Add yogurt to this and mix well.
7. Add 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp chilli powder, 1/2 tsp pepper powder and garam masala and saute till raw smell goes.
8. Add 2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves and mix well.
9. Then add drained rice and roast well at high flame for 2 minutes.
10. Add 3 cups of hot water and mix well. Adjust the salt and cook covered at low flame.
11. When half cooked, add fried squid, ghee and chopped coriander leaves and mix well and cook covered at low flame till done. Serve with raita and pickle..