Peas Pulao

Rice items play an important part in menu planning especially when you have guests over for lunch or dinner. I usually prefer to make phulka and one rice dish so that people can have a choice. I prefer making one pot rice dish as it saves energy and time without compromising on taste. Pair it with simple raita, dal or any side dish of your choice and it is ready to go. I love to experiment with different veggies and spices. It was during one of the experiment that I landed up with this recipe. It is very simple to make yet aromatic due to the use of whole spices.

Here is what's needed:

1 cup Basmati rice

1/4 cup frozen Green peas

1 medium Onion sliced

1" Cinnamon stick

3-4 whole Peppercorns

4 green Cardamom 

1 Star anise

1 Bay leaf

1 tbsp split cashews

1 tbsp Ghee or Oil

Salt to taste

few strands of Coriander leaves finely chopped

Procedure:

1) Wash basmati rice until clean and soak in water for 10 mins. Drain. Slightly crush the whole spices. Defrost the green peas and keep aside.

2) Heat ghee/oil. Add roast cashews until golden. Remove and keep aside.

3) In the same pan add more ghee/oil if needed. Once heated add the whole spices. Add Onions and sauté until slightly golden. Add the drained rice and green peas. Fry for just a minute.

4) Add 2 cups of water , salt to taste and chopped coriander leaves. Give it a rolling boil and reduce the flame to medium. Cook covered until done. Fluff and serve hot.