Spicy Peas Pulao.

SPICY PEAS PULAO

Pulao is the name given to rice cooked in a particular way. It involves toasting the rice first and then cooking it with a variety of vegetables or meat in a blend of spices. Peas pulao is normally very simple with minimal spices , rice and green peas. This however is a different recipe than the traditional way to make the Pulao.

Ingredients :

1/2 cup green peas , 1/2 cup Basmati Rice ,

2 tbspn oil , 1 pinch asafoetida , 1/4 tspn Mustard seeds ,

1/4th tspn cumin ,1/4th tspn turmeric , Salt to taste , 1/4 tspn sugar ,

3/4th Tspn red chilly powder , 3/4th tspn Garam Masala

Procedure :

Heat oil in a pan . Add cumin and mustard seed. After they splutter add asafoetida and turmeric followed by green peas . Stir well for about a minute. After the initial sizzle of green peas goes away add rice and toast them on medium low heat for about 3-4 minutes. Add Garam Masala , Red chilly powder , salt to taste , sugar and toast the rice for another minute . A well roasted mixture of rice and veggies helps to cut down on the cooking time . Add water as required and cover the pan for the rice to cook. You may at this moment use the microwave to proceed further cooking . Do not add excess water . This method results in an exceptionally fluffy rice with the grains separated, and not sticky.

You may serve this pulao with Tomato shorba or Dal soup.

Szechuan Rice (with Homemade Sauce).

SZECHUAN SAUCE.

(Szechuan cuisine is famous for bold flavors, particularly the spiciness resulting from liberal use of chilies . This condiment can be used for stir fry , with rice/nooodles , as a dip and in many other ways.)

Ingredients :

20 Dry red chillies , 6 cloves of garlic ,

1 inch ginger finely chopped , 2 tbspn finely chopped onion ,

1 green chilly , salt to taste , 1 tbspn white vinegar ,

2 tbspn sugar , 1/4 tspn all purpose flour.

Procedure :

Soak dry red chillies for minimum 8 hours.

Grind he chillies with ginger , garlic and green chilly to form fine paste.

Heat oil in a pan cook the onion on medium heat. Add the all purpose flour and stir well till the flour looses its raw flavor. Flour is used as a thickening agent in this sauce. Then add red chilly paste , salt , sugar let it come to a boil. (You may add water to get required consistency). Add white vinegar. The sauce is ready to use or to be frozen for future use.

SZECHUAN RICE.

Heat oil in a pan and add coarsely chopped veggies as you may like (e.g carrot , green beans , cabbage , green peas) . Once the veggies are half cooked add well cooked rice and stir well. (Cooking the veggies half way through gets the crunch to the dish which many enjoy) . Add the szechuan sauce , salt to taste , a tspn vinegar. Cover the pan so that rice can absorb all the flavors. Rice is ready to serve hot.

Variation : You may use noodles instead of rice. You may also add chicken or shrimps.

Methi Pulao ( मेथी पुलाव)

METHI PULAO (मेथी पुलाव)
(Leafy Vegetable like fenugreek (Methi) is a common dislike among kids and adults too. Incorporating such vegetables in the typical way of Paratha is a known tactic. This is a type of rice which can be served just with Achar or Mild (not too spicy) Dal. Try it once.)

Ingredients :
2 green chillies , 2 cloves of garlic , 1 tspn roasted Cumin blended together in a mixer.
Finely chopped Fenugreek ½ Cup , Salt to taste , ½ tbsp oil , ½ tbspn butter , ½ tspn sugar
1 bowl full of cooked rice.

Procedure :
Heat oil + butter in a pan add mixture of garlic , cumin , chillies and roast well. Add fenugreek and keep mixing well. Fenugreek will shrink in size and release flavor. Add rice and salt to taste with little sugar. Stir well. Rice is ready to serve.

Tava Pulao.

TAVA PULAO

Ingredients : (Serves 2)

Boiled Rice , 1 tspn Pav Bhaji Masala , 2 cloves of garlic , 1/2 tspn Cumin (Jeera),

Cauliflower , Bell Pepper (Capsicum) , Carrots , Tomato , Coriander,

2 tbspn butter, 1/2 tspn red chilly powder , Salt to taste , 1/2 tspn lemon juice.

Optional : Raisins (Bedane)

Procedure :

Heat butter in a pan . Add cumin and chopped garlic . Saute till garlic is golden brown . Add the chopped vegetable and cook them on steam for about 8-10 mins. Add Pav Bhaji Masala and rice and lemon juice . You may add 10/12 raisins as a secret ingredient . Mix it well. Garnish with Cilantro (Coriander) before serving.

Tastes best with Cucumber or Boondi Raita.