VEGETABLE PULAO

Vegetable pulao [veg pulav] is a spicy rice prepared by cooking rice with various vegetables and spices. In this recipe, assortment of spices ,veggies and rice are first sauteed in oil /ghee and then cooked with water either in pressure cooker or directly in a covered pan . This is easy, quick recipe which is a comfort one pot meal when we don't have to do elaborate cooking or you have to cook food on a short notice or in a quick time. Here today I am sharing the way I make veg pulao at home. I sometimes make this in a pressure cooker but today I am sharing the recipe which I cooked in the non-stick kadhai with lid. In pressure cooker method mostly the veggies become soft .Cooking period and taste of  rice also depends on the types of rice. Since I use the same brand rice everytime so I know how much time the grains take to cook .What I learnt from my experience is that its better to soak the rice for half an hour before cooking.Vegetable pulao can easily fit in your kids lunchbox or even for office lunchbox. Hope you like this recipe of mine. If you like don't forget to leave a comment.

INGREDIENTS:
2 Cups Basmati Rice
4 Cups Water
1/4 Tsp Roasted Jeera Powder
Salt as per taste
1 Tsp Garam Masala
2-3 Cloves
2-3 Cardamoms
1 Small Star Anise
1/2 Inch Cinnamon Piece
1-2 Bay Leaf
4-5 Black Pepper
1 Small Sized Tomato
1 Potato
1/2 Cup Green Peas
1/4 Cup Chopped Carrot
1 Onion Sliced Finely
1/2 Tsp Ginger- Garlic and Green Chilli Paste
Fresh Chopped Coriander
1-2 Tbsp Oil/ Clarified Butter
Cashewnuts [ optional]

METHOD :
STEP 1 - First wash rice with tap water. Soak rice for about 1/2 an hour.

STEP 2 - Chop all the veggies as per desired size.

STEP 3 - Meanwhile,gather all the spices.

STEP 4 - Take a wide pan, add oil /ghee ,add the dry spices in it and roast for 30 seconds.

STEP 5 - Add sliced onion and green paste [ginger-garlic-chilli paste] and saute for approximately 1 minute or till it turns light brown.

STEP 6 - Add chopped carrots, potato first as they need more time to cook . Cook for at least 2 minutes.

STEP 7 - Now add rest of the veggies and cook for 2-3 minutes.

STEP 8 - Add soaked rice and powdered spices ,mix well and saute for just 1 minute.

STEP 9 - Lastly add water ,mix well and cover with the lid on medium flame. Do check after 5 minutes, if needed add little hot water. If not then again cover and let it cook .

  STEP 10 - It takes near about 10-12 minutes to cook properly. Do check and turn off the flame. Garnish with chopped coriander and serve.

                                       Serve hot with cucumber or your favourite raita, papad and pickle.

NOTE : Here I used water double the quantity of rice. It also depends upon the type of rice used for the recipe.