Tri-color pulav

Ok.. this is something that i tried today and it came out really well.. Hence the post :)
You need:

• Long grained basmati rice - 2 cups


• Ghee - 1/2 cup (sorry folks.. i know its too much.. but gotta be done)


• Cashew nuts - a fistful


• raisins - 4-5


• Onions - 3 (Julienne one and finely chop the other 2)


• green chillies - 3 (finely chopped)


• ginger - 1" piece (finely chopped)


• Mixed veg (peas/diced carrots/corn/chopped beans) - total 1 cup.. maxx 1/2 cup


• tejpatta - 1 leaf


• cloves - 2-3


• Badi ilaichi - 1


• cumin seeds - 1 tsp


• juice of 1/2 lemon


• salt to taste


• turmeric powder - 2 tsp


• red food color - 1 tsp

How to (this is my shortcut method so a little unorthodox)

In a pressure cooker add the washed rice and the mixed vegetables. Add salt and 1 1/2 cup of water. Close the cooker and cook on a high flame for one whistle. Immediately remove from flame and let out all the steam. Open the cooker and drain out all the remaining water from the rice.

From this semi cooked rice take a little less than 1/4 quantity in a separate bowl. Add the red food color and mix well. Similarly take another bowl and take out less than 1/4 of rice in that, add turmeric and mix well. Let the remaining rice be white.

In a deep pan, heat the ghee. Add tejpatta, ilaichi, cloves, and cumin seeds. Add the julienned onion and cook till brown. Add the finely chopped onions, cashews, green chillies and ginger and cook till brown.

While the onions are browning.. wash off the colored rice. I.e. add water to the rice where you had added the red food color and the turmeric and wash out all the color. Once all color is washed off.. mix it with the white rice. Add this mixed rice to the browning onions and mix well. Add some salt if needed. Add the raisins. Cover and cook till the rice is tender.

Just before serving sprinkle the lemon juice and mix well.

Vegetable Pulao

This is again a quick fix recipe when i am in no mood to spend a long time in the kitchen and yet crave a spicy full meal. For accompaniments you may have raita, pickel or just plain curd... or maybe eat it as is. This is a spicy version so mellow down according to your taste.
You will need:

• 2 cups basmati rice (Long grained, fragrant rice)


• 4 cups of water for cooking


• 1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, cauliflower, beans, potatoes) - dice where required


• 2 medium onions - finely chopped


• 2 green chillies - finely chopped


• 4-5 cashew nuts


• 2 tbsp ghee/oil


• 1 tsp cumin seeds


• 1 tsp mustard seeds


• 1 tsp red chilly powder


• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder


• 2 tbsp coriander powder


• 1 tbsp garam masala


• salt to taste


• juice of 1 lemon


• fresh coriander to garnish

How to:

• Wash the rice and keep aside.


• In a pressure cooker heat the oil/ghee and temper the cumin and mustard seeds.


• Add the cashew nuts and cook till slightly brown


• Add the onions and stir fry till golden brown


• Add all the vegetables and spice and stir well


• Add the rice and all the spices and mix well.


• Add the water for cooking, stir once and close the lid


• On a high flame, cook till one whistle and remove from flame


• Open the cooker only once all the steam has escaped. Add the juice of lime and mix well. Serve garnished with coriander leaves.