Peas Pulao / Spicy green peas pilaf

Pulao / Pilaf is a spicy dish in which rice is cooked in a spicy gravy. The green peas pilaf is a vegetarian dish and is often served with raita ( chopped onions in fresh seasoned yogurt ).

Ingredients

2 cups basmati rice, rinsed and drained

3 red onions

2 tblsp of ginger garlic paste

A small cup of green peas

1 teaspoon salt (or) as per required

2 large green chillies

1/4 teaspoon turmeric

1 tblsp red chili powder

2 teaspoons of ghee/ butter

Few almonds slivered
2 tblsp of plain thick yogurt

2 tblsp of garam masala (or) briyani masala.

3 tblsp of olive oil / Cannola oil / Vegetable oil

If garam masala is not available, click here to see how to make garam masala from scratch.

Cooking the basmati rice

For one cup of basmati rice add one and a half cups of water.

Pressure cooker method : If you are using a pressure cooker ,pour in 4 cups water directly inside pressure cooker . In a container ,add the basmati rice and water in the correct proportion and close the container using a plate.Then cover the lid of the pressure cooker and put on the whistle. After the whistle gives 1 sound , turn on the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.

Rice cooker method : If you do not have a pressure cooker, then add the rice and water with the same proportion into the rice cooker and let it cook for 20 mins. Open the lid to check if it has cooked and all the water has evaporated. If not then let it cook for another 10 min.

To check the rice for the correct consistency, take the rice in your hand and press it between your fingers. If the rice is soft and breaks into two or more bits then it is done well. If it gets mashed too much then its overdone. This will reduce the taste of the briyani

Method

Mince the ginger and garlic and grind it in a food processor to make a very smooth paste.

Boil the green peas with a pinch of salt in a small pot .Drain the water and keep them aside.

Chop the onions into small pieces.Add oil in a large pan.Saute onions ,green chillies and ginger garlic paste along with salt for 5 minutes.Add the briyani masala/garam masala ,turmeric powder, red chili powder and cook for about 10 mins till the raw flavor is gone.
Add half a cup of water and let it boil.After the gravy is reduced to half add the yogurt and the boiled green peas and mix until well combined and simmer for 5 mins.
Add the rice to the gravy and mix them until all the rice is completely mixed with the gravy.Cover and simmer for 10 mins.
Melt the ghee/butter in a small pan over medium heat. Add the slivered almonds and roast them for a few minutes.Add the roasted almonds to the pilaf and mix well.

Serve the pilaf with onion raita.

Your delicious Green peas pilaf is ready.