Masala Veg Pulao, How to make Veg Pulao

Veg Pulao is a spicy rice dish prepared by cooking rice with various vegetables and spices. In this recipe, assortment of spices and veggies are sautéed in oil and ghee and then rice is added to it. However, the uniqueness of this traditional masala vegetable pulao recipe lies in use of bay leaf, cinnamon and cloves which provides nice and complex aromatic feel that simply makes yummy pulao.

Serves: 2

Cooking time: 25 min

Ingredients:

• ½ cup Basmati rice (long grained rice)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• ¼ cup green peas (fresh/frozen)
• 3 tablespoon chopped French beans
• ¼ cup chopped carrot
• 1 small bay leaf
• 1 inch cinnamon
• 2 cloves
• 2 whole black pepper
• 6-8 cashews
• ¼ teaspoon garam masala powder
• 1/8 teaspoon turmeric powder
• ½ teaspoon red chili powder
• ½ teaspoon ginger garlic paste
• 2 tablespoon oil
• 1teaspoon ghee
• Salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped coriander leaves

Directions:
Wash and soak rice for 20-30 minutes and keep it aside until needed.

Take 1½ cup of water in a pan and put cloves, black pepper, cinnamon and salt as per taste. Bring it to boil. When the water is boiling, add drained rice and ½ tsp ghee to it. Cook until half done and drain rest of water. Keep the rice aside.

Heat oil and remaining ghee in a pan on low flame and add bay leaf, ginger garlic paste, cashews and sauté for 30 seconds. Add onion and sauté until it turns light brown or for approx. 2 minutes. Add chopped tomato, green peas, french beans and carrot. Add salt as per taste. Stir fry them for approx. 2 minutes. Add turmeric powder, garam masala powder, red chilli powder and rice. And mix well. Sprinkle ¼ cup of water. Close the lid and cook on low flame for 2 minutes. Open the lid carefully and fluff the rice carefully with a spatula and again cover it and cook another minute or until done. Turn off flame. Open the lid after 5-7 minutes, transfer the rice to a serving bowl and garnish with chopped fresh coriander leaves.

Serving Suggestions:

Masala veg pulao is served with Boondi Raita or Cucumber Raita and pickle.