Vegetable Pulao

Normally when I think of preparing something, I prefer to carry easy steps. So here also I did the same. But did some research how the name Pulao came from. Did any of us think about it? So its said that Pulao is mentioned in Hindu Epic Mahabharata(Sanskrit epics of ancient India) from the Indian subcontinent, mentions rice and meat cooked together in which rice is cooked in a seasoned broth(made of water in which bones, meat, fish, or vegetables have been simmered), and the word "pulao" or "pallao" is used to refer to the dish in ancient Sanskrit works such as the Yājñavalkya Smṛti. Sounds something new right? So my research ends up in preparing pulao which is very easy and tasty dish which be prepared in some fraction of an hour. Made out of veggies.

You can try with fish, chicken, meat anything of your taste)

So just try out. Here is the recipe. 

Ingredients for pulao

·     Rice – 3 cups basmati rice (or any fragrant rice).Here I took Kiama rice( with which we normally prepare Biriyani. But Basmati rice is best for making pulaos

·     2 tbsp oil or ghee. I use mix of oil and ghee. To get taste and flovor.

·     1 medium onion thinly sliced.

·     2 green chilies slit or as needed

·     1 to 1½ cups mix vegetables chopped (carrots, beans, peans, potatoes)

·     salt as needed

·     6 cups water (for the whistle method, bit less cups of water, 5 or 5.5 cups will do)

·     3 tbsp mint (or pudina, finely chopped)

·     1½ tsp ginger garlic paste

Spices for veg pulao recipe

·       1 bay leaf 

·       1 star anise 

·       ½ to ¾ tsp Fennel seeds

·       4 green cardamoms

·       6 cloves

·       2 inch cinnamon

·       1 small piece nut meg 
·       Ginger Garlic Paste-1 tblspn
·       Some pepper balls - ¾ tsp

Methods

Preparation for veg pulao recipe

1.    Wash rice a few times until water is clear. Drain off the water and set aside.

2.    Chop all the veggies and slice onions. Chop pudina and slit green chilies. 

3.    Heat ghee or oil in a hot pan.  

4.    Now add in the dry spices - bay leaf, star anise, fennel, cardamoms, cloves, pepper balls, cinnamon and nutmeg.

5.    Fry them lightly in hot oil until they are set. Can stir it for around 1 minute.

6.    Saute onions until golden.

7.    Add ginger garlic paste until the raw smell goes off.

8.    Add all the veggies and mint.  Saute for 2 to 3 minutes.

9.    Pour water and add salt too. Taste the water, it has to be slightly salty.

10.Next add drained rice and stir.

How to make pulao in pressure cooker

1.    Cover the cooker with the lid. Then cook on a medium high flame for 1 whistle. 

Making pulao in pot

1.    Cook on a medium heat until all the water evaporates. When the rice is still soggy, cover with a lid. Cook on a low flame for 4 to 5 mins until the rice is done fully.

2.   Switch off the stove.

3.   When the pressure goes down, remove the lid and mix up the rice.

4.    Serve veg pulao hot or warm with a simple raita or Paneer Butter masala or any of our chicken dishes. Eg: Chicken Ghee Roast