Vegetable pulao

  

When I am in a hurry and need a wholesome luch or dinner I prepare this vegetable pulao. Since I love my dishes to be colourful, I use whatever veggie I have, both fresh and frozen. I prepare this one pot meal in rice cooker and it will be ready in minutes. Tastes simple and great. Definitely a bachelor freindly recipe :).

Ingredients :

Basmati rice- 2 cups

Any veggie of your choice- 1-2 cups

Onion- 1 no

Green chilli-  4 nos

Gralic- 4 pods

Ginger- 1/2 inch piece

Fennel seeds- 1 tspn

Cardamom- 3 nos

Cinnamon sticks- an inch piece

Cloves- 4 nos

Oil- 4 tbspns

Salt to taste

Method :

Slice onions,  mince green chillies, ginger and garlic. Heat oil in a pan. When it becomes hot add cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and fennel seeds. When the fennel splutter add onions, green chillies, ginger and garlic. Saute well for two minutes. Now add all the diced vegetables. Suate for one minute. Now add the basmati rice and again saute for a minute. Now add enough water ( I normally add 3 glass of water for 2 cups of rice). Amount of water needed depends on the type of rice you use. Add salt to taste. Now transfer everything to rice cooker and cook until done. A very easy, quick and wholesome lunch or dinner will be ready. Serve with any raita of your choice.

Taste enhancing tips for this recipe : Potato and green beans add nice flavour to the dish. If you wish you can add 1/2 cup of coconut milk. Replace this 1/2 cup of coconut milk for 1/2 cup of water.  Otherwise you can add 1 teaspoon of coconut milk powder. This tastes equally good. You can also add coriander leaves for extra flavour at the end of preparation. Replacing 1 tablespoon of oil with butter also adds taste to the dish. If you wish you can garnish with roasted cashews. Take care to add proper amount of water and not to make the rice mushy. Happy cooking !!!