Quick and Easy Vegetable Pulao

 

'Vegetable Pulao or Pilaf' as some people call it is a rice dish mixed with different vegetables and cooked in spices. I find this dish the best way to eat my quota of vegetables. But preparing Pulao the authentic way can be a very daunting task as it involvesaa  lot of preparation.So the other day when  deciding on what meal to cook I thought of making this quick and easy Pulao with whatever vegetables I had lying in my fridge.I added some coconut milk in the end to make it little moist and to add extra flavor.You can skip this part if you do not have coconut milk handy.It turned out very nice, so for all those people looking for a quick meal to cook after a days hard work sharing the recipe.

Ingredients

Basmati Rice – 2 cup (you can also use leftover rice or precook it in the morning and keep aside)

Chopped onions 1

Tomato paste 1 tbsp

Green peas boiled-1/2 cup (you can use the frozen ones)

Carrot chopped-1/4 cup ( pre-boil and keep)

Any other vegetable you have handy like frozen corn, green beans, cauliflower

Ginger garlic paste- 1tsp

Ready made Biryani masala powder – 1tsp (you can use any brand like MDH, Shan Biryani Masala that is available in Indian grocery stores, in case you do not have any Biryani Masala then add red chilli powder, cumin coriander powder and turmeric powder or any other curry powder you have handy)

Cumin seeds-1/2 tsp

Chopped coriander

Lime juice 1 tsp

Coconut milk 2 tbsp (optional)

Salt

Oil- 3 tbsp

 

Method-

1.Cook rice in rice cooker and keep aside.

2. In a deep-bottomed vessel add around 2 to 3 tbsp oil, when the oil becomes hot add the cumin seeds, when they start to splatter add the ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a minute till the raw smell goes away.

3. Now add the chopped onions and sauté till the onions turn transparent. This should take about 4-5 minutes on medium flame.

4. Add the green peas, chopped carrots and any other vegetable and sauté for a minute.

5.Now add the tomato paste and the Biryani masala powder and mix well.

6.Finally add the cooked rice,salt, half of the lime juice and 2 tbsp coconut milk and mix well.Add only enough coconut milk to make it moist and to add some flavor. Cover with a lid and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes.

7.Remove from gas and garnish with chopped coriander and more limejuice if required.

Serve hot with Yogurt, Salad mix and Papadum .