Veggie Pulao

Mom's Pulao - yummm - I am a rice lover since childhood and this dish is my favorite!!! The aroma of rice still lingers in my mind when I think about mom's home cooked festive or party meals. Diwali Party Potluck in office and I signed up for Veggie Pulao.

Ingredients:

4 cup Basmati Rice

1 red pepper

1 green pepper

1 carrots

1 cup cauliflower

1 cup peas

3 Onion - cut fine long slices deep fried for best results

1 Potato

4-5 cloves garlic

1/8 inch organic ginger

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp Biryani Pulao Masala (Shaan or Everest brand)

2 tbsp each of dry fruits (cashew, almond without skins, raisins)

Salt to taste

Method:

1. Wash the rice 2-3 times. In a bowl, soak in water leaving upto 1 inch above the rice. Leave for 20 minutes.

2, Cut all veggies in same size small square format.

3. In a pan, heat 2 tbsp ghee, add garlic and ginger paste. Add potato, and saute. (For richer taste, deep fry potato chips and add later with onions and other veggies). Add the peppers and saute.

4. Steam the carrot, cauliflower and peas separately.

5. Now add the veggies to the pan. Add masala and fried onion. Turn off heat and set aside.

6. In another pot, get 8 cups water and let it boil. Add 2 tsp salt. Then add the soaked rice. Add 2 tbsp homemade ghee. Add couple day leaves, star anise and 4-5 peppercorns. Cover with lid. Let cook for 20 minutes. Turn off heat. Let stand 10 minutes,

7. Now add rice to the veggies lightly and toss with fork.

8. In a pan, get 1 tbpn ghee and stir fry the dry fruits for 30 seconds. Add to the rice.

9. Serve hot.

Enjoy!