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.

Jaipuri Pulao - Spicy Pulao recipe

Tired of cooking the usual pulao/biryani.Try this Jaipuri Pulao for a change and I am sure you are going to make this again and again. This just takes a few mins of prep time and the taste is just amazing.
I came across this recipe in a cooking channel in TV. I tried it and now this is my family's favorite pulao :)

This pulao gets its flavor from one major spice - Cardamom

Ingredients:

• Basmati Rice - 1 cup
• Water - 1.5 cups
• Butter / Ghee - 3-4 tblsp
• Oil - 1/4 cup
• Bay leaf - 1
• Cashews - 2 tblsp
• Coriander leaves - a small bunch - roughly chopped
• Red chili powder - 1/2 tsp
• Veggies - 1 cup -finely chopped

Vegetables Used :

• Carrot - 1
• Capsicum - 1/2
• Beans - 4-5 
• Brocolli - a small bunch
• Green peas - 1/4 cup
• Sweet corn kernels - 1/4 cup

Fresh Masala Paste - To grind

• Onion - 1 small - roughly chopped
• Cardamom - 4
• Cashews - 1 tblsp
• Green chilli - 3-5 depending on your spice level
• Garlic pods - 5
• Ginger - a small piece
• Coriander powder - 1 tblsp
• Cumin powder - 1 tblsp
• Fresh cream or Milk - 4 tblsp 

Dindigul Thalappakatti Biriyani - Original Authentic Recipe (Vegetarian Version)

Dindigul Thalappakatti Biriyani  is very famous in Tamil Nadu known for its authentic southern spices and texture.It is fragrant, spicy, a bit tangy and full of strong flavors..This recipe is an original authentic recipe but instead of chicken I have replaced it with Soya chunks aka the Meal maker.Its rich in protein and has a great taste and texture.

My husband loves this biriyani so much that he could eat this every single day .Ha ha. He insisted a lot that I make this recipe and post it in my blog.So here goes :) ....

Ingredients:

• Seeraga Samba rice /KaliJeera rice - 2 cups
• Water - 4 cups
• Dried Soya Chunks - 1 cup
• Curd - 1 cup
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice from - 1 lemon
• Cilantro/Coriander leaves chopped - 1 cup
• Mint leaves chopped - 1 cup
• Salt
• Red chili powder - 1/2 tsp 
• Ghee - 1/4 cup
• Oil - 3/4 cup

Masala - Ingredients to grind:

• Shallots(small onion) or Large onion - 2 cups
• Garlic pods (peeled) - 15-20
• Medium size ginger - 1
• Green Chilli - 5-7 depends on your spice level.
• Cloves - 3
• Cardamom - 3
• Cinnamon stick broken pieces - 3
• Nutmeg - 1/2 piece

Tomato Pulao - Lunch box recipes

Mornings are always busy as we pack breakfast and lunch for our loved ones.The main question we all have is What should i cook today?? .This is one big head scratcher.There are days when I keep pacing around my kitchen and fridge wondering what to cook.That is when this tomato pulao comes to rescue. This is one of our favorite go-to lunch.It is a fragrant ,tangy and spicy pulao.

I made this recipe with juicy red plum tomatoes instead of roma tomatoes.It gave the much needed tangy kick to the pulao.

Red juicy plump tomatoes make this dish more yummy.

Ingredients :

• Tomatoes - 4 large
• Basmati rice /regular white rice - 1 cup
• Water - 2 cups
• Onion - 2 large
• Ginger garlic paste - 1 tblsp
• Green peas - 1/4 cup
• Mint leaves - a few finely chopped
• Coriander leaves / Cilantro - a few finely chopped
• Oil - 4 to 5 tblsp
• Red chili powder - 1 tsp or as per taste
• Garam masal powder - 1.5 tsp
• Salt

Spices :

• Bay leaves - 2
• Cardamom - 4
• Cloves - 4
• Cinnamon stick - 1 small

Tip : If you dont like the spices as whole in the pulao, this is what you can do.Fry the spices in oil for a min then carefully remove all of them from the oil using a spatula.Since we have fried them in oil the taste and fragrance remains in the oil too.You can enjoy its taste without it being stuck to your teeth.

Method :

• Wash the rice and cook it separately in a rice cooker as usual.For basmati rice and water ratio would be 1:1.5 and for normal rice its 1:2 .Cook the rice separately.
• Finely chop onions and tomatoes and keep them aside.Boil green peas separately.Drain and keep them aside.
• In a large pan on medium heat add oil.Add the spices and fry them for about 30 sec.
• Add the onions and fry them with the spices until they lose their raw flavor.Add ginger garlic paste and fry for another min.Add the chopped mint leaves.Fry until the mint leaves are completely wilted.Add the chopped tomaotes and fry until they turn mushy.
• Add garam masala,red chili powder and saute for another few mins.Add the boiled green peas.Add more oil if required.Fry everything until oil separates from the gravy.Adjust salt and chili powder to taste.
• Add the chopped cilantro leaves.Switch off the flame.
• Using a fork fluff the boiled rice until they are loose.Add rice to the pan and gently mix.
• Serve hot with fryums ,papad/chips.

Vegetable Biryani - Aromatic rice with vegetables

‘Biryani’  is a savoury rice based dish made with spices, rice (usually basmati) and vegetables  or meat. In India it is made in various forms like dum briyani , pan briyani etc. It is often eaten as lunch and served with ‘Raita’ – a side dish made with yogurt and raw onions.

This is the recipe for making a vegetable briyani.