Veg Pulav

When I turn the pages of my childhood memories.....I can still smell that strong aroma of Veg Pulav lingering from my mom's kitchen. Since years, this Pulav is the most comforting one pot meal to have either on a lazy weekend or in lunch box.

This Pulav recipe of mine is a huge hit in my family and friends and i passionately cook it whenever hubby wants to eat a spicy rice dish..

Recipe Courtesy : Amma

This recipe serves 4 people

Ingredients

1. Cinnamon : 2 small sticks
2. Cloves : 3-4 pieces
3. Bay leaves : 2 leaves
4. Star anise : 2 pieces
5. Cardamom : 2 pieces
6. Onion : 1 large onion cut into medium sized pieces
7. Tomatoes : 2 medium sized tomatoes cut into medium sized pieces
8. Carrots : 1 cup peel and cut them into medium sized wheels
9. Beans : 1 cup beans cut into medium sized pieces
10. Potatoes : 1 cup peel and cut into medium sized pieces
11. Capsicum : 1 cup cut into medium sized pieces 
12. Cauliflower : 2 cups cut into big chunks
13. Peas : 1 cup frozen peas
14. Pudina : 2 cups Pudina leaves, you can add more as well...it will enhance the flavor.
15. Coriander leaves : 1 cup
16. Ginger : 2 inches piece,  you can add more as well...it will make the Pulav more spicy.
17. Green chillies : 5-6 chillies
18. Garlic : 8-10 large garlic pods 
19. Fresh grated coconut : 1 cup - optional
20. Salt : to taste
21. Rice : 3 Measuring cups - I generally use sona masoori  rice and pressure cook the Pulav as my family prefers it a bit mushy.  You can use basmati rice and cook it in a pan for grainy Pulav using 6 cups of water.

Procedure

• Let's make the green masala puree and then start cooking. 
• For the green masala, add garlic, ginger, Pudina leaves, coriander leaves, grated coconut, green chillies in a blender and grind it to a smooth purée, use some water if needed to grind it.
• In a pressure cooker, On medium heat, add 3-4 Tbsp of oil and put in the whole cinnamon sticks, cloves, bay leaves, cardamom and star anise. Give it few seconds to fry in oil.
•  Then add onions, frozen peas and stir it for few seconds and then add green masala purée, let it cook for a minute.
• Put in all the veggies, tomatoes and stir everything together for few seconds.
• Add the washed rice and stir it with veggies.
• Add 6 cups of water , salt to taste and close the cooker and let it whistle.
• After two whistles turn off the heat. Now your home will be filled with aroma of spices.
• Serve it hot and enjoy the compliments.