How to Make Vegetable Pulao
vegetable pulao
Making pulao isn’t messy but really interesting, especially when you skip the chicken and meat. We’re going to make vegetable pulao with just a handful of ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.
Anybody can cook, making cooking easy for everyone.
Ingredients
1 cup basmati rice (washed and soaked for 30 minutes)
2 tablespoons oil or ghee
1 medium onion (sliced)
1 medium tomato (chopped)
1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, beans, and potatoes)
1 green chili (slit) - optional
1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
2-3 whole spices (cinnamon stick, 2-3 cloves, 1 bay leaf, and 2-3 cardamoms)
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
½ teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon garam masala or pulao masala
Salt to taste
2 cups water
Fresh coriander or mint leaves for garnish
Before We Start
Spice Adjustment: Skip green chili for a mild taste or add red chili powder for spiciness.
Cook Perfect Rice: Avoid over-stirring after adding water to prevent breaking the grains.
Vegetables: You can add any vegetables you like, but keep it limited.
Water ratio: Add rice in the perfect ratio: 1 cup rice with 2 cups of water (or 3:6 for more rice).
Garnishing: For added flavor, fry onions. Here’s how: Pour enough oil in a cooking pot to submerge the onions. Slice the onion thinly and fry on medium flame until it turns pink.
Then, lower the flame and turn it into a brown color. Place the fried onions onto a paper towel to absorb the excess oil. Once dry, it will become crunchy and add a rich flavor to your pulao.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Rice
Take 1 cup of basmati rice, wash it, and soak it for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Cook the Spices
Heat oil or ghee in a pot. Add cumin seeds and whole spices like cinnamon, bay leaf, cloves, cardamoms, or any flavorful spices you prefer.
Step 3: Saute Vegetables
In the oil with the flavorful spices, add sliced onions and cook until they turn light brown. Then add ginger garlic paste and green chili, sauté for 1 minute. After that, add chopped tomatoes, carrots, peas, beans, and potatoes, and cook until the vegetables become soft. Mix in the turmeric powder and garam masala. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
Step 4: Cook the Pulao
Now, add the soaked rice and gently mix it with the vegetables. Pour in 2 cups of water (for 1 cup of rice) and add salt to taste. Cover the pot and cook on low heat for 10-12 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the water is absorbed.
Step 5: Garnish
Once cooked, take a plate and add the pulao into it. Garnish with chopped coriander or mint leaves on top. Now you can eat it while watching Netflix too!
How to Serve?
I serve it by adding a handful of fried onions! Open the lid of the pot, scoop out the vegetable pulao with a spoon, and place it on a plate. Spread it out, then top with chopped coriander and a handful of fried, crushed onions for extra flavor. Garnish and enjoy!
Recipes related to vegetable pulao
How to Make Vegetable Pulao in a Cooker.
Here’s the tip: when cooking in a pressure cooker, reduce the amount of water. For 1 cup of rice, use 1.5 cups of water (in a pot, we use 2 cups of water).
For the first steps, cook the spices and sauté the vegetables as usual, but use a pressure cooker. Once the rice is added, cover the cooker and give it just 1 whistle. The rest of the process remains the same.
How to Make Indian-Style Vegetable Pulao?
Start by preparing the rice as usual. Cook the spices until the aroma fills the air. Sauté the onions until golden brown, then add ginger garlic paste and a few slit green chilies, cooking for 1 minute. Add the chopped tomatoes and mix them with the spices.
Next, add your vegetables and cauliflower, and cook for 4 minutes. Sprinkle turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala (or mix spices) if you're using them. If you like, you can also add biryani powder. Mix well and cook the rice as usual. Garnish as desired.
Conclusion:
How to Make Vegetable Pulao
Start by preparing your rice. Wash and soak the basmati rice for 30 minutes. In a pot or pressure cooker, heat oil or ghee. Add sliced onions and cook until golden brown. Stir in ginger-garlic paste, then add spices like cumin seeds, cinnamon, and cardamom. Mix for a minute, then add the mixed vegetables (carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, and others). Cook for 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle in turmeric, red chili powder, and salt. Add the soaked rice, spreading it evenly. Pour in 2 cups of water (1.5 cups for a pressure cooker). Cover and cook on low heat for 10-15 minutes.
Once done, serve the vegetable pulao on a plate, garnished with fresh coriander or mint leaves.
Enjoy a delicious, meat-free vegetable pulao!
For more ideas, check out my other recipes:
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FAQs
What is the ratio of rice to water in pulao?
For pulao, the general ratio of rice to water is 1:2. If you use 1 cup of rice, add 2 cups of water. For 3 cups of rice, you would add 6 cups of water. However, in a pressure cooker, you can reduce the water slightly. For 3 cups of rice, add 5.5 cups of water to avoid excess moisture.
How to make tasty vegetables for pulao?
To make tasty vegetables for your vegetable pulao, sauté them with spices on medium heat. Heat oil, add sliced onions until golden brown, and then add ginger garlic paste. This will bring out a wonderful aroma. Add fresh vegetables like carrots, peas, and cauliflower (optional but adds flavor). A splash of lemon while adding the vegetables enhances the taste and adds a fresh twist.
What is pulao made of?
Pulao is typically made with rice (basmati is most common), whole spices (like cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, cloves, and bay leaves). You can add optional ingredients like chicken, paneer, or any protein of your choice. The key spices used in pulao include turmeric, red chili powder, and a mix of spices to create a flavorful aroma.
How to cut vegetables for pulao?
For a perfect vegetable pulao, cut your vegetables into small, uniform pieces for even cooking.
1. Carrots: Dice or julienne.
2. Beans: Chop into 1-inch pieces.
3. Potatoes: Cut into small cubes.
4. Cauliflower: Break into small florets.
5. Bell peppers: Dice finely for color and flavor.
Tip: For convenience, use frozen peas; they cook quickly and add a hint of sweetness.
How to make a plain pulao recipe?
Here's a simple plain pulao recipe:
1 cup rice
2 cups water (1.5 cups for a pressure cooker)
Oil or ghee
1 medium-sized sliced onion
Whole spices (cinnamon, cumin, bay leaf)
Salt to taste
Instructions:1. Heat oil or ghee in a pot, add spices, and sauté for a few seconds.
2. Add the sliced onion and cook until golden brown.
3. Add soaked rice and sauté for 2 minutes.
3. Add 2 cups of water, season with salt, cover, and cook on low heat for 10-15 minutes.
Serve your plain pulao with raita or curry.
Different Types of Pulao Recipes?
There are many variations of pulao. Here are some popular types:
Vegetable Pulao: Made with rice, mixed vegetables, and spices.
Peas Pulao: A simple dish with peas and mild spices.
Paneer Pulao: Features soft paneer cubes for extra protein.
Chicken Pulao: Includes marinated chicken cooked with rice and spices.
Jeera Pulao: A minimalist recipe with cumin and rice.
Kashmiri Pulao: A sweet and savory version with dried fruits, nuts, and fragrant spices.
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