Combination Dinner - 1 - Peas Pulao

This is a series of 3 receipes so the introductory paragraph for all three is the same. 

Been a longish time since the last post. I do hope that this series of posts will help a lunch / dinner too many !! 

Some dinner receipes just click. You know what i mean ? The combination of flavours and textures prompts you to go for second helpings. Yesterday's dinner was just that - simple yet a perfect combo. 

While you can certainly try out each of these receipes separately with other accompaniments, this combination of peas pulao (green peas rice), aaloo palak (boiled potatoes in spinach gravy) and kerala chicken curry is a delight to the palate. 

Receipe 1 - Peas Pulao

Ingredients:

1/4 - 1/2 cup of green peas (used 1/4th frozen peas ; defrosted by soaking in some water)

1 cup rice (indian basmati preferable)

2 cups water to cook rice

2 tsps oil

Whole spices - 1/4 tsp cumin, 2 green cardamoms (elaichi), 1/2 inch cinnamon (dalchini),

2 cloves (lavang) and 1 bay leaf (tej patta)

1 onion finely chopped

Salt to taste

1/4 tsp lemon juice

Method:

Wash the rice properly and then soak in water and keep aside. 

Heat a vessel (for cooking rice), add 2 tsps oil and then add the whole spices except cumin. Fry for about 1/2 a minute and then add cumin, fry a bit and add the finely chopped onion. Fry well for 2 mins. 

Then add the strained green peas, fry a bit and add the strained rice, fry for 1/2 min. and then add the 2 cups of water. 

Season the mixture with salt, stir a bit (ofcourse taste the mix for salt seasoning) and cover and cook on medium heat for approximately 12 minutes. 

Check the rice at this stage by inserting a "fork" - a spoon or ladle will break the rice. If the rice is only slightly undercooked, switch off the stove and let it rest there on the stove for a further 5 to 7 minutes. If its well done, then take the vessel off the stove. 

Once rice is cooked, the next step is to pour the lemon juice and briskly fold it into the rice with the use of a fork. Please do not overdo this as the rice might break. A gentle mixing is all it needs. This prevents rice grains from sticking together.

This is a plain peas pulao receipe that will need atleast some yoghurt (raita) or ideally some gravy along with it. Serve it with the other two receipes for a nice combo.

(oops....the peas pulao n aaloo palak were nearly over when i remembered to click this snap. thankfully the chicken was made in excess quantity)

Check out the other two receipes too.

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