Vegetable Pulao (Pulav) | One Pot Meal | Lunch Box Ideas

Vegetable pulao is a simple one pot meal that can be put together with the your favorite veggies of your choice.I personally love making this biriyani for two good reasons.My younger one is a picky eater and so making him this for lunch box serves the purpose of feeding him with a simple raitha which he loves to eat.But in all the other forms,its hard to make him eat veggies.Secondly,this becomes easier to make for a weekend lunch when am lazy to make elaborate dishes.I usually use beans,carrots and green peas to make this pulao and make it milder as far as spice is concerned(you can increase spices as per tolerance).I will be explaining two ways of making this pulao and you can use whichever is comfortable to your family.I couldn't click any step by step pics as it was again a weekend menu and I hardly get time to click step by step pics then.I have used the first method to cook the pulao in pics but I definitely use the other method as well frequently.The only difference that I found between the two methods is that the first one is a longer process but the grains are separate and the texture is very good.The second one is shorter but the grain gets slightly mushier.However, both the recipes are very simple which is easy to understand without pics too.Try and enjoy !!

Preparation time~ 30 minutes
Cooking time ~30 minutes 
Serves~4-5 adults
Recipe source~own

Ingredients
basmati rice 1.5 cup
water 3 cups
whole masala(cinnamon 1" stick,cloves 3,cardamom 2,star anise 2 petals,bay leaves 2,whole pepper corn 1/2 tsp)
salt to taste

onion 1 large sliced ;half moon size
beans 1/2 cup
carrots 2 medium/ 1/2 cup chopped
peas 1/2 cup
turmeric powder 1/2tsp
garam masala 1/2 tsp
pepper powder 3/4 tsp
oil 2tbsp

to grind
mint leaves 5-6
coriander leaves 2-3 sprigs
green chilly 1
ginger 1" piece
garlic 2 cloves

for garnish
cashews 1tbsp
raisins 1tbsp
ghee 1tbsp

Method

• Heat ghee in a pan and add the cashews,fry them lightly followed by raisins.Drain on  a plate and reserve the ghee.
• Wash and soak the rice in water for 20 minutes.Drain the rice and use the water for cooking the rice(retains nutritional value).
• Heat the same pan with ghee and add the rice.Fry lightly and then switch off flame.

 FIRST METHOD

• Heat a cooker and add water (3 cups).You can use soaked water plus more water as required.Add the whole garam masala and add salt.Add the rice and cook covered on medium flame until all water is absorbed.
• Heat another pan and oil.When the oil is hot,then add in sliced onions and saute until translucent and slightly browned.
• In the meantime,grind the ingredients listed 'to grind' to a smooth paste with little water.
• Add the paste to the sauteed onions.Saute until the raw smell disppears.Add in the spice powders and then add in the beans,carrots and peas.Toss it well and  then add 1/2 cup water.Add salt,mix and cook covered for 5-6 mins until the veggies get cooked well and water is absorbed 3/4 th.
• Now,layer the cooked rice on top with chopped cilantro and mint leaves,fried cashews and raisins.Cover with a tight lid and leave covered on low flame for 10 minutes.
• Mix well after 10 minutes and then serve warm.

SECOND METHOD

• Heat the pan with the remaining ghee,add oil to it.Add whole spices,fry until fragrant and then add in sliced onions and then followed by the ground paste.Saute until raw smell disappears.Add in the spice powders,toss well and add the chopped veggies,saute well.
• Add 4 cups of water and salt.Let the water come to a boil.Now,add the rice and cook covered until the water is abosorbed completely and the vegetables gets cooked.Fluff with a fork and then add in the fried cashews,raisins,chopped cilantro and mint leaves.Serve warm with raitha.

NOTES
* The pulao is mild in spices so add spices(increase green chillies or pepper powder) as per tolerance.
* I usually use more vegetables than required just to sneak in more veggies for kids,so adjust accordingly when you make pulao.
* I cut the beans slightly at an angle and thinner to get cooked faster but you can chop as required.Also,I chop the carrots very small to match with beans.
* You can use potatoes,cauliflower,broccoli,sweet corn or any other vegetables too.

For more rice/pulao recipes,click here.