Veg. Pulao

        Veg. Pulao is a one pot comfort meal with the goodness of some mixed veggies. Just some raita, any side dish (opt) and papad is all that need to enjoy this yummy dish. It is a very easy and a quick recipe when you are in no mood to dish out a full course meal. It is a great satisfying delicacy that can be had for brunch, lunch or as a lunch box meal too. 

          A great substitute for plain steamed rice or jeera rice, it is mildly flavoured with whole garam masala (including mace and nutmeg) along with some homemade garam masala powder and some chopped coriander-mint leaves.

          I have added some chopped nuts and fried onions too, for some crunch. It is purely optional. So do give it a try when you want a simple no-fuss meal and enjoy with your loved ones. 

• 1 cup Basmati rice, soaked for 30 minutes and drained
• 1 & 1/2 cups hot water
• 1 cup mixed veggies, chopped (beans, cauliflower, peas, carrots)
• 2-3 tbsp. ghee
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds 
• 2 bay leaves
• 2-3 green cardamoms 
• 1" cinnamon stick 
• 4-5 cloves
• 1/2 mace
• pinch of nutmeg powder
• salt to taste 
• 1 tsp. garam masala powder
• handful of coriander-mint leaves, chopped
• 1-2 green chilies, slit
• 1 tbsp. chopped almonds & pistachios
• 1 tbsp. coriander leaves
• 1 tbsp. fried onions (opt)

          Heat ghee in a pan and temper with cumin seeds, bay leaves, cinnamon, cardamoms, cloves and mace. Sauté for a few seconds. 

          Add the chopped veggies and all the dry spices. Sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add the drained rice and mint-coriander leaves. Continue to stir fry for 2 more minutes.

         Add water and green chilies. Pressure cook for 2 whistles. Switch off the flame and allow it to rest for awhile before opening the lid of the cooker. 

          Garnish with chopped nuts, fried onion and coriander leaves. Serve it hot with raita and some side dish.

Spinach Biryani

          
          This is a wholesome and a nutritious meal with the goodness of spinach. Very easy and simple to make, they can be had with raita, pickles or just plain roasted papad. Do try this delicious one-pot meal when time is a constraint and when you want something healthy. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 1/2 cup Basmati rice, soaked for 1/2 hour
• 3 tbsp. ghee 
• 1" cinnamon
• 3 green cardamoms
• 4-5 cloves
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 bunch spinach, washed & chopped roughly
• 1" ginger
• 2-3 green chilies
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. garam masala powder
• fried onions, tomato wedges, lemon wedges & fried cashews to garnish (opt)

          Make a puree with of the spinach with ginger and green chilies with 1/4 cup water. Keep aside.

          Heat the ghee and temper with bay leaves, cinnamon, cardamoms, cloves and cumin seeds. sauté for a few seconds.

          Add the onion and fry till light brown. Now add the soaked and drained rice and sauté for 1-2 minutes.

          Add the pureed spinach, salt, turmeric powder and garam masala powder and continue to sauté for 1-2 minutes.

          Add 1 and 1/2 cups water and pressure cook for 1-2 whistles. Garnish with fried onions, tomato wedges, lemon wedges and fried cashews. 

          Serve along with some raita, pickle or papad.

                     Temper ghee with bay leaves, cinnamon, cardamoms, cloves & cumin 
                     seeds. Then add onions & sauté.

                                  Add rice & fry for 1-2 minutes.

                  Add the pureed spinach, salt, turmeric powder and garam masala powder. 
                  Sauté, add water and pressure cook.

                                Serve, garnished with raita, pickles or papad.