Quick and Flavorful Vegetable Pulao Recipe for a Perfect Weeknight Meal
Pulao is a popular rice dish in Indian cuisine that is flavoured with various spices and cooked with vegetables, meat or seafood. It is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to make a basic vegetable pulao.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1 potato, diced
- 1/2 cup green peas
- 1 green chilli, chopped
- 1-inch ginger, grated
- 3-4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 2-3 cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2-3 green cardamom pods
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp oil or ghee
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander leaves (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Rinse the basmati rice thoroughly under running water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in water for 20-30 minutes.
- Heat oil or ghee in a pan over medium heat. Add bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cloves, green cardamom pods, and cumin seeds to the pan and sauté for a minute until they release their flavours and become fragrant.
- Add sliced onions, grated ginger, and chopped garlic to the pan and sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onions turn translucent and lightly browned.
- Add diced carrots, potatoes, green peas, and chopped green chilli to the pan and sauté for another 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are slightly cooked.
- Drain the soaked rice and add it to the pan. Mix well with the vegetables.
- Add coriander, turmeric, and salt to the pan and mix well. Add 2 cups of water and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Once the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes until the rice is cooked and the water is absorbed.
- Turn off the heat and let the pulao rest for 5-10 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork.
- Garnish with chopped fresh coriander leaves and serve hot with raita, pickle or salad.
