Thursday, March 8, 2018

Easy Vegetable Pulao in Instant Pot / Rice Cooker / Pressure cooker - Recipe for all three ways



With the whole world going crazy about Instapot (IP),I wanted to know what the fuss was all
About. So I went ahead and bought Instapot Lux during the black friday sale for  $49 . Let me tell you that this was one of the best kitchen gadgets I have bought so far. Its worth the hype and I am so glad. It had made my cooking so much easier and it never burns at the bottom . Its super quick and makes indian cooking a lot less intimidating.Its basically an electric pressure cooker which combines the funtionality of a cooker,slow cooker,yogurt maker,steamer and lots more...

Pulao or Biryani in Instapot gives a very traditional unique taste.It is similar to the dum style which I have never been able to achieve.I make a lot of gravies so quickly which used to take so much time in a stovetop. I have to keep checking constantly to avoid burning of food at the bottom. But Instapot is a savior. I can sauté and pressure cook in the same pot. The warm mode is amazing. It doesn’t dry out the rice even if I keep it warm mode for 4-5 hrs.Rice cooker usually dries out the rice and burns the bottom layer.The pot is stainless steel which I feel is the healthiest option for cooking.

This pulao recipe doesn't have a lot of masala in it.It is simple and elegant with min ingredients but the flavor is full and delicious.




Ingredients
  • Basmati rice  - 2 cups
  • Water - 2 1/2 cups depending on the rice
  • Onion - 2 ,very thinly sliced
  • Ginger garlic paste - 1 tblsp
  • Mint leaves - 1/2 cup
  • Mixed veggies (Carrot,Beans) -1/2 cup chopped
  • Green peas - 1/4 cup fresh or frozen
  • Sweet corn - 1/4 cup fresh or frozen
  • Garam masala - 1 tsp
  • Green chillies - 3 to 4 slit in half
To temper
  • Oil/Ghee - 4 tblsp
  • Oil - 2 tsp
  • Bay leaves -3
  • cinnamon stick -1
  • Star anise-1
  • Cardamom-3
  • Cloves-4
  • Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
  • Cashew nuts - 1/4 cup

Method

  • Wash and rinse the rice until starch goes off.Drain and soak it in water for atleast 30 min. 
  • Heat oil/Ghee in a pan.Add all the spices under tempering.Let them roast for 2 min.Next add the thinly sliced onions and fry them until they turn slightly brown.Add the green chillies.
  • Add the ginger garlic paste and fry for 2 min until the raw smell is gone.
  • Then add the mixed veggies and frozen veggies and saute until its well cooked half way through and they still have a crunch.Add salt to taste.Saute until they are almost done around 2 mins.
  • Add the garam masala,. Adjust seasonings as per taste.Next add the mint leaves and fry them for a min.
  • Add the drained rice to the pan.Gently stir until combined.Add the ghee and mix again.Switch off the flame.
  • Transfer the contents of the pan to Instapot/ Rice Cooker/Pressure Cooker.
  • Instapot Method : Make sure the valve is in the sealing mode . Click Manual and set the timer to 4 mins. After the instapot beeps it goes to warm mode automatically. Let the pressure release on its own or you can adjust the valve to venting position if you are in a hurry to eat it.
  • Rice Cooker Method : Let it cook completely and the rice cooker goes on warm mode.check if the water has been absorbed into the rice .Fluff the rice with a fork after it reaches warm.
  • Pressure cooker method: Cook the rice for a one whistle and simmer in low for 5 mins.Switch off the flame.
  • Serve hot with cucumber or onion raita.










1 comment:

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    ReplyDelete