Vegetable Pulao with Chai Flavor

I am  a rice person and I make pulao frequently. I had no intention of posting this recipe but my daughter insisted to do so as the wonderful flavor of chai spice makes this pulao so different.

Pulao is nothing but a medley of vegetables/meat and rice. It is a filling and nutritious meal that can be prepared with not much effort. You can pretty much add any vegetable or beans or meat. it is so flavorful that it can be eaten on its own but we prefer to have yogurt with it. I make this on days when I am in hurry or have no plans what I am going to cook for dinner or lunch.

Vegetable Pulao with Chai flavor

Ingredients

1 cup basmati rice

3/4 cup cauliflower florets

1/2 cup diced carrots

1/2 cup fresh or frozen green beans, cu 3/4″

1/2 cup frozen peas

1/2 cup frozen corn kernels

1/4 cup sliced onion

1/2 cup diced potato

1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper

3 tbsp olive oil

salt to taste

2 1/4 cup water

1 tsp chopped ginger

1 tbsp chopped cilantro to garnish

Ingredients for chai flavor

1 tsp saunf (fennel seeds)

1/2 tsp green cardamom seeds

Method

Rinse rice 2-3 times and soak in water for 15 minutes. Coarsely grind fennel and cardamom seeds (You will get the best flavor when you grind with mortar and pestle).

Heat oil in a wide pan. Add the fresh cut vegetables, chopped ginger, and ground chai masala. Saute for couple of minutes on medium heat.

Drain al the water from rice. Add frozen vegetables and rice to the pan. saute for 1 – 2 minute, stirring gently with spoon. Be careful not to break the grains of the rice.

Add the water, salt, and coarsely ground black pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium, partially cover the pan and cook until the rice is done. Do not stir the rice while it cooks.

Remove from heat and let the rice rest, covered for 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter, garnish with chopped cilantro, and serve.

It pairs with any vegetarian or non vegetarian curry but I don’t bother making any curry when the rice has all the vegetables. The simple you can do is to have raita with it.