Thursday, January 21, 2010

Easy veg pulao (pilaf)

This is a great one-pot meal that can be prepared very quickly without much effort, especially if you have frozen vegetables handy. Works great for the lunch box, even if kids do not have the option of re-heating their lunch before eating. Makes a lovely party pick too.


Ingredients:

basmati rice - 1 cup
fat free milk - 1 cup
diced carrot - 1/3 cup
cut green beans - 1/4 cup
peas - 1/4 cup
grated cabbage - 1/4 cup
cauliflower - a few florets
mint leaves - a handful (cleaned)
green chillies - 3 to 4
salt - 1 tsp (according to taste)
fennel seeds - 1 tsp
oil - 1 tbsp
pulao masala - 1 tsp
water - 2 cups

Method:

Wash rice. Heat oil in a sauce pan. Add fennel seeds and green chillies. Add vegetables and washed rice. Fry for a minute. Add milk, pulao masala, mint and salt and cook for couple of minutes. Add water and microwave for 15 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes. Serve with raita.

Notes:
1. The mix of vegetables used can be varied according to preference.
2. Frozen vegetables can be used.