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Monday, November 23, 2009

Mixed Veggie Pilaf

Pilaf/Pulao/Plav is a versatile dish that can take any form and perform.Its meaty version may please meat-lovers but its vegetarian version is sure to please all alike. I am partial to the vegetarian version with plenty of colorful vegetables..especially multi-colored peppers, peas, carrot and beans. So here is my version of this kitchen all-rounder.Use any medley of colorful vegetables for this. This star-quality dish is a standalone and doesn't need any accompaniments. To round it off, perhaps you may drink Yasmeen's tried and tasted Chocolate and Protein Oat shake, that is made with Xagave(Agave syrup), a natural sugar replacement that is making waves right now. Intrigued? So am I. To enter for a chance to win Yasmeen's generous giveaway of a book with recipes of Xagave check out the rules here. Good Luck.
 
Ingredients:
  • Basmati Rice - 2 cup, soaked 30 minutes prior to cooking
  • Cubanelle Pepper - 1, julienned
  • Mini peppers - 2 each of red, orange and yellow, julienned
  • Carrot - 1, peeled and julienned
  • String Beans - 4-5, halved and vertically slit
  • Sweet Peas - a handful, fresh or frozen
  • Cilantro - 1 bunch (if small), else 1/2
  • Ginger - 1 inch, skinned and roughly chopped
  • Garlic - 4 cloves, skinned and halved
  • Red Onion - 1, large, roughly chopped
  • Tomato - 1, medium, chopped
  • Mint - a handful
  • Hot Green Chilli -5
  • Cinnamon - 1/2 stick
  • Cloves - 3
  • Cardamom - 1
  • Cracked pepper - 6 peppercorns
  • Marati Moggu(Dried Capers) - 1
  • Bay Leaf - 1
  • Olive Oil - 4 tbsp
  • Water - 3 cups
  • Salt for taste
Procedure:
  • Coarsely powder the dry spices- cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, cracked pepper either in a blender or mortar/pestle and set aside.
  • Grind the ginger, garlic, red onion, tomato, cilantro, green chillies, cilantro and mint with little water.
  • In a wide thick bottomed pan, heat the oil,add the ground dry spices and bay leaf.Fry them for less than a minute taking care not to burn them.
  • Add the cut vegetables, fry them for a minute and pour the ground paste. Close the lid and let it cook for 5 minutes.
  • Add the soaked rice and 3 cups of water. Add salt and gently stir taking care not to break the rice.Close the lid and cook on a low flame for 8-10 minutes.
  • Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with cut peppers(optional).
  • Serve hot with cold Onion Raita or by itself.
Makes ~3-4 Servings.

Enjoy!

9 comments:

  1. Mixed Veggie Pilaf looks awesome. Very colorful.Love ur presentation.

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  2. Gorgeous and very colourful pilaf, am inviting myself to ur place to have those delicious dish..

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  3. Pilaf is colourful and nicely decorated, must be delicious with a raita!!!

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  4. love the colors..Looks really yummy..A perfect and healthy meal..

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  5. Mmmm I love a good pilaf. Yous looks healthy, colorful and delicious! YUM!

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  6. it looks so colorful and look veryhealthy...very yummy!!

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  7. Dear lassi(e)
    I marvel at your command over the English language and the narration.."dish that can take any form and perform".What can be a better adjective for a Pilaf ?
    You haven't spared any spice , the net result is a Badshahi Pilaf, will try when pure vege friends come..
    And for the drink , I am totally sold out to your red drink and will stick to it.
    Happy cooking

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Thanks a bunch for your valuable comments and continued support.They are very much appreciated. Yes,like "Rain on Dry Land" and like "Oasis in Desert Sand".
XoXo, Cool Lassi(e)