A delicious and aromatic one pot rice dish, this pulao recipe uses tons of colorful vegetables like mushrooms, corn, peas and carrots. Great for packing in lunch boxes too.
You will need:
Basmati rice - 1 cup
Ghee or oil - 2 tbsp
Cinnamon - 1" piece
Cloves - 3
Cardamom - 3 pods
Onion - 1 large, finely chopped
Ginger - 1 tbsp, finely chopped
Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
Green chili - 1, chopped (can omit if making for kids)
Turmeric powder - ½ tsp
Red chili powder - 1 tsp
Coriander powder - 1½ tsp
Garam masala powder - ½ tsp
Button mushrooms - 1 heaped cup, sliced
Corn kernels - ¼ cup
Green peas - ¼ cup
Carrots - ¼ cup, chopped
Water - 1½ cups
Lemon juice - 1 tbsp, freshly squeezed
Salt - to taste
Cilantro leaves - 2 tbsp, chopped
Cashew nuts - a few
How to:
Wash rice in water a couple of times. Soak rice in a little bit of water and set aside.
Heat ghee (or oil) in a pressure cooker or deep pan. Add cinnamon, cloves and cardamom and allow them to sputter.
Then add onions, ginger, garlic and chili (if using). Saute till onions are light golden in color.
Add the turmeric, red chili, coriander and garam masala powders. Mix to combine.
Add the vegetables and stir to combine with the masala. Saute for a few seconds.
Add water and lemon juice and allow it to come to a boil. Drain water from the rice and add to the pot. Season with salt.
If using a pressure cooker, close the lid and put the weight on. Cook on medium-high for one whistle and on low for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow pressure to release naturally before opening the lid.
If using any other pot, close with a tight-fitting lid and cook on low till rice and vegetables are cooked, around 15-20 minutes.
Garnish with cilantro leaves and cashew nuts lightly fried in ghee. Serve with pappads and yogurt.
Notes:
1. Feel free to use your favorite vegetables in this recipe. Potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, green beans would be good. 2. You can also garnish with paneer cubes lightly fried in a bit of ghee to make paneer-vegetable pulao. 3. You can also mix in scrambled eggs for added protein.
Recipe by At The Corner of Happy And Harried at https://www.happyandharried.com/2016/08/20/mushroom-corn-peas-pulao/