We all are aware of Pulao/ Pilaf/ Pilau which is rice dish. It is made up by cooking rice stock or broth, adding whole spices for flavor and other ingredients like vegetables or meat too. Pulao is one of the famous main course where rice is a staple food item. In this recipe i will share the recipe of Matar Pulao or Peas Pulao using Fresh Green Peas. One can also use frozen green peas as an alternative to fresh green peas.

Preparation Time: 15-20 minutes

Cooking Time: 25-40 minutes

Course: Main

Serves: 04

Cuisine: Balkans, Caribbean, South Caucasus, Central Asia, East Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Middle East and South Asia

Ingredients:

Fresh Green Peas/ Frozen Green Peas 1 cup

Basmati Rice 2 1/2 cups

Bay Leaves 2-3

Cinnamon 2 inch

Cardamom 3-4 pods

Star Anise 1

Cloves 4-5

Black Pepper 9-10

Cashew Nuts 1/4 cup

Raisins 1/4 cup

Ghee 1/4 cup

Refined Oil 2 tbsp

Hot Water 5 cups

Cumin Seeds 1 teaspoon

Fried Onions 1/4 cup

Salt as required

Directions:

1. Take the basmati rice and thoroughly wash with cold water just once or twice. Then soak the rice in cold water for about 15 minutes. Keep it aside.

2. Meanwhile, take the green peas and boil for just 1 or 2 mintues. Once done rinse the extra water and keep aside.

3. Once the first two steps are done keep 5 cups of boiling water ready. Now take a deep pot and heat it on medium heat. Add oil and ghee to the pot and let it heat. Now temper the oil with all the whole spices i.e. bay leaves, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves,cumin seeds, black pepper and star anise. Then add chashew nut and raisins and fry for a minute.

4. Now add the half boiled green peas to the oil and fry for 1-2 minutes. Once everything is fried add the rinsed soaked basmati rice to the oil. Fry the rice for 1-2 minutes. Now quickly add 5 cups of boiling water to the rice, mix well and add salt as per taste. Cover the pot with the lid and cook the rice till all the water is soaked by the rice.

Serve the pulao hot,sprinkled with fried onions along with any veg or non veg side dish of your choice like kofta curry, paneer, chicken, mutton etc.

Tips: The Rice:Water Ratio is 1:2.

One can exclude dry fruits if disliked.

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