PPulao is a festive rice dish served at all feasts like Diwali, Thanksgiving and at parties. It starts with  frying raw rice  and spices in oil, prior to cooking. The whole spices in this pulao impart a special aroma. The colorful peppers add a nutritive value, being rich in antioxidants and Vitamin A, B and C.

How to make Pulao?

Frying the rice and vegetables

  • Soak the rice and drain in a colander. (10 min) 

While the rice is soaking

  • Chop onion and peppers fine.  (3 min.)
  • Crush pulao spices using a mortar / mixer.  (1 min)
  • Heat oil in a frying pan.
  • Add crushed spices and stir until an aroma is emitted. (1 min.)
  • Add chopped onions and saute until translucent.  (3 min.)
  • Add peppers and saute until shiny.  (2 min.)
  • Add rice and stir-fry until the rice crackles.  (3 min.)

Cook Pulao mixture using a Microwave/ Rice cooker/ Pressure cooker/ Oven.

USING A MICROWAVE:

  • Boil 3 cups water in a microwavable pan.  (5 min.)
  • Add fried rice and vegetable mix and salt.
  • Cover with a lid / plastic wrap (pierce holes using fork )
  • Touch Rice button on control panel & hit start . (15 min.)
  • Use a fork to stir the cooked Pulao to prevent rice from sticking.
  • Transfer Pulao to a rice platter.

USING A RICE COOKER:

  • Boil 3 cups water in the pan. Add fried rice, vegetables and salt. (5 min.)
  • Cover with lid, press down the cook button and cook. (15 min.)
  • Use a fork to stir the cooked Pulao to prevent rice from sticking.

USING A PRESSURE COOKER:

  • Boil 5 cups water in the pressure cooker bottom. (5 min)
  • Measure out 3 cups in a steel pan. Add fried rice – vegetable mix and salt.
  • Close the lid and heat until it whistles. (5 min.)
  • Reduce heat and cook. ( 5 min.)
  • Turn heat off. Allow to cool before opening lid – pressure reduces. ( 5 min.)

USING AN OVEN:

  • Pour 3 cups of hot water on the fried rice – vegetable mix in the pan.
  • Transfer Pulao mix into a casserole dish.
  •  Cover with aluminum foil and bake in a pre heated oven at 350F. (20 min.)

TIPS

  • For a quick Pulao use 2 cups pre cooked white rice or left over rice.
  • Substitute peppers with  edamame, peas, mushrooms or mixed  vegetables.
  • Serve Pulao with Cauliflower Turkey and Gravy – Korma/ Lentils/ Raita.