Curried Veg Pulav (Veg Pilaf)

I named this dish as 'Curried' Veg Pulav as I have used the spices with which I prepare any basic masala curry used in Indian cooking :-) Pulav or Pilaf is a really easy rice based dish where veggies ( in the case of my dish) are cooked along with the rice seasoned with some spices. It is a really simple and easy preparation. Pulav can also be prepared with chicken , shrimp, egg etc

This dish was initially supposed to be a mixed vegetable curry :-) , but at the last moment I decided to go with making a quick pulav with the same mixed vegetables to which I had already added all my spices to prepare the curry. So there you go, Curried Veggie Pulav !!! :-)

I just used  some frozen mixed vegetables (containing carrots, green peas, beans and corn)  that I always have in my freezer , one potato and half of a green bell pepper (capsicum) for the mixed veggies. You can use whichever veggies you prefer.

Curried Veg Pulav Recipe
Recipe source : My Own
You'll need
Basmati rice - 2 cups
Water - 4 cups
Mixed Vegetables ( Carrots, Peas, Beans, Corn, Potato, Bell pepper etc) - 2 cups (cubed into small pieces)
Onions - 1 large ( cubed ) - I used Yellow Onions
Whole spices (Peppercorns, Cloves, Cardamom, small Cinnamon stick ) - 2-3 of each
Red chilli powder - 1-2 tsp
Corriander powder - 1 tblsp
Garam masala powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
Pepper powder - 1 tsp ( optional)
Oil - 2-3 tblsp ( I used Canola)
Salt - to taste

Directions
1. Wash the rice in cold water and drain and keep it aside. ( If you have the time, its best to soak the rice in water for 30minutes and then drain before preparing the pulav, I did not do it though)
2. Heat a large cooking pot and add the oil.
3. Saute the whole spices in the oil until the flavors are released.
4. Add the onions and saute for 2 minutes.
5. Add in all the mixed veggies and after sauting for 2 minutes, add the spices ( red chilli powder, corriander powder, garam masala powder, turmeric powder and pepper powder) and saute for another 2-3 minutes.

6. Now add in the rice to the mixed veggies and stir gently until rice and veggies are mixed well .

7. Add 4 cups of water and season the water with salt , stir once more and cover and cook until the rice is cooked fully. ( The water should be salty to taste so that the rice is seasoned well once cooked)    

                             

7. Serve it hot with some cool cucumber Raita !

This dish can be prepared so fast and can be served without requiring to prepare too many side dishes, as it is rice + mixed veg curry in one !! :-) Some plain Yoghurt or Cucumber Raita along with some Papad goes really well when serving this dish.

The house gets filled with the lovely aroma of basmati rice being cooked and the lovely spices added to this dish. The Pulav was really good, the rice was soft and perfectly cooked , the veggies and the spices mingled really well with the rice and it did make a really quick , tasty and colorful lunch for us :-)

Have a sweet day!!

-Manju