a small piece of stone flower(pathar phool) - optional
3 to 4whole black pepper
for garnishing
1small onionthinly sliced or about ¼ cup thinly sliced onions
12 to 15cashews
1tablespoonchopped coriander leavesor mint leaves
Instructions
soaking rice
Rinse the rice till the water runs clears of starch.
Then soak the basmati rice in water for 20 to 30 minutes.
Later drain and keep the basmati rice aside.
making vegetable pulao in pressure cooker
Heat 3 tbsp ghee or oil in the pressure cooker. Add sliced onions.
Saute on a low flame, till the onions are golden and then remove them with a slotted spoon. Keep the caramelized onions aside.
In the same oil, add cashews and brown them. Keep the fried cashews also aside.
In the same oil or ghee, add the whole spices - cinnamon, tej patta, black cardamom, green cardamoms, cloves, black pepper, stone flower, cumin seeds and mace. Saute for a few seconds till the spices become aromatic.
Add sliced onions. Stir and saute the onions on a low flame. Saute till the onions become golden.
Then add ginger+garlic+green chili paste. Stir and saute till the raw aroma of the ginger and garlic goes away. About 15 to 20 seconds.
Add all the chopped veggies, including tomatoes and peas.
Saute for 2 to 3 minutes on a low flame.
Add the drained basmati rice. Saute gently for 1 to 2 minutes till the oil/ghee has coated the rice grains evenly. Pour water.
Add salt and stir the pulao gently.
Check the taste of the stock. If it tastes bland, then add some more salt.
Cover the pressure cooker tightly with its lid.
Pressure cook vegetable pulao for 2 to 3 whistles on a medium to high flame. 2 whistles will give you a less softer texture. For more softer texture cook for 3 whistles.
When the pressure settles down on its own, remove the lid and gently fluff the rice.
Serve the pulao garnished with fried onions, cashews and mint or coriander leaves.
You can also gently mix the garnishing ingredients with the pulao.
This pressure cooked vegetable pulao goes well with boondi raita, plain raita or onion-tomato raita.
Also accompany some onion slices with lemon or a vegetable salad or pickle and papad.
Video
Notes
* Skip the fried garnish part of onions & cashews if you prefer. In this case, just make the pulao with 2 tbsp oil or ghee instead of 3 tbsp oil or ghee.