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Vegetable pulao
Veg pulao (वेज पुलाव): mild basmati rice with carrot, beans, peas and whole spices for the everyday tiffin
This is the plain, comforting pulao that gets packed for small children all over India, from Kolkata to Bengaluru: no chilli heat, just whole spices, a little fried onion and plenty of carrot, beans and peas. It is just as good warm or at room temperature, with a pot of raita or a few potato wedges alongside. The mistake is stirring the rice once the water goes in, which breaks the grains and makes it gluey; cover the pan and leave it alone. Chef's tip: cut the vegetables the size of a pea, so a child's spoon gets rice and vegetables in every bite.
- Total time
- 35 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 9 oz basmati ricewashed and soaked 20 minutes
- 2 tbsp sunflower oil
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 ⅛ in cinnamon stick
- 3 cloves
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 onionthinly sliced
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 carrotdiced small
- 2 ⅞ oz green beanscut into 1 cm pieces
- 2 ⅞ oz frozen peas
- ¼ tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups water
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Heat 2 tbsp sunflower oil in a heavy pan over a medium heat. Add 1 bay leaf, 1 ⅛ in cinnamon stick, 3 cloves, 2 green cardamom pods and 1 tsp cumin seeds and fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
1 minStep 2: Add 1 onion and fry for 5–6 minutes until golden, then stir in 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste for 30 seconds.
6 minStep 3: Add 1 carrot and 2 ⅞ oz green beans and stir-fry for 2 minutes, then add 2 ⅞ oz frozen peas and ¼ tsp garam masala.
2 minStep 4: Add drained 9 oz basmati rice and stir gently for 1 minute until the grains turn opaque. Pour in 2 cups water and 1 tsp salt and bring to the boil.
3 minStep 5: Cover tightly and cook on the lowest heat for 12 minutes without stirring, until the water is absorbed and little steam holes appear on the surface. Rest covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
12 minStep 6: Remove the whole spices before packing for small children. Cool the rice quickly on a tray, chill it if made ahead, and pack with an ice pack.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 330 kcal
- Protein
- 7 g
- Carbs
- 58 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does vegetable pulao take?
- About 35 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of basmati rice?
- Any long-grain rice, same amount.
- What can I use instead of cinnamon stick?
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon per stick.
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