Veg Pulao

Feeling lazy?..make Pulao.Too much work during a get-together party?make Biryani or rather,..feel like eating something tasty but no time?make pressure-cooker pulao!!There’s nothing like a Pulao or Biryani to save you time on a busy day.Though it is often associated with lots of prep work and stuff,like many other dishes,this one too has got many easier versions.

Hubby is not too fond of the Veg variations of pulao and keeps raving about the Non-veg Biryani and how much I am missing it and stuff..I stuff tablespoons of pulao with lots of vegetables in my mouth and tell him that I am more than happy to be eating it all by myself..;).

A while back,we were invited for dinner at a dear friends’ place.R,is a very good cook and she had prepared Veg Pulao for us along with some other goodies.Though reluctantly,hubby put some in his plate and I saw him relishing it.Before we left from there,he asked me to get the recipe from her and make it for him..hmmm.Though there was much scope for some”I told you so”moments,I noted down the recipe instead and made it for him..We ♥ed it absolutely.Thank you R for a simple and tasty recipe!!

Veg Pulao

Ingredients

Basmati rice – 1 cup[I used normal Sona Masuri rice]

Mixed vegetables –
Carrot – 1,chopped
Beans – 3-4,chopped
Green peas – about ¼ cup
Onions – 2,chopped

Ghee/oil[or a mix of both ] – 4 tbsp

Mixed nuts – Cashewnuts & Raisins – a handful

Whole spices – crushed a little
Cinnamon – 1’ stick
Cloves – 3-4
Cardamom – 2 pods

Ginger-garlic paste – 1 tbsp
Red chilly powder – 1 tsp
Coriander powder – 1 tsp
Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp
Salt to taste

Method
Wash the rice well,drain and keep aside.
In a pressure cooker/pan,add 2 tbsp ghee/oil and fry the cashewnuts and raisins till they turn brown in colour-drain and keep aside.
Add the remaining ghee/oil and fry the onions.
Add the crushed whole spices & the ginger garlic paste and sauté well for a minute.
Add the powders-red chilly powder,coriander powder and haldi and mix well.
Now add the vegetables and salt to taste.
Mix in the drained rice and add 2 cups of water.
Close the pressure cooker and cook for exactly 1 whistle.
Wait for about 10 minutes-open the cooker and fluff with a fork.
Granish with the fried nuts.
Serve hot with papad and raita.
Every pressure cooker is different and the cooking time also varies from the kind of rice used.So use your instinct and go with your cooking experience!