Suji's Peas Pulao

Husband wanted peas pulao to go with the chicken curry I made yesterday. here is what I came up with. Sometimes I look up recipes and sometimes ( I should say most times) I cook based on what the title suggests. Peas pulao obviously has peas and since Prabu wanted a light flavored rice here is how I did it.

I used frozen peas that I got from Indian grocery store. The reason I specify the grocery store is simple. The peas you get in Indian grocery stores are not sweet. Also, i get frozen coriander cubes from Trader Joe's which makes my life easier. I hate chopping coriander :).

Ingredients:


Rice - 1.5 cups
Peas - 1 cup
Onions - 1 cup thinly sliced
Coriander - 1 Tbsp. Minced
Green Chillies - 2 slit length wise
Cumin seeds - 1.5 tsp.
Black Cardamom ( badi elaichi) - 1
Cloves - 6
Cinnamon - 1/2 inch piece broken
Dry Bay Leaves - 1 big broken into pieces
Oil - 3 Tbsp.
Butter - 1Tbsp.
Salt As needed
Water - 3 cups

Procedure:

- Heat oil and butter in wide skillet.
- Add all the dry ingredients ( cumin, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaf and black cardamom).
- Saute for 30 seconds and turn the flame to low.
- Add coriander and green chillies. and saute for 20 seconds. Add onions.
- Season onions with salt and saute till they are soft.
- Add green peas and season them with slat. Cover and cook on medium- medium low flame till peas are cooked through.
- Wash the rice and drain water.
- Add the rice to the peas and onions mixture and stir till all the rice and spices are mixed well.
- Add 3 cups of water and turn the flame to high and cover the skillet.
- Once water comes to a boil turn the flame to low and check for seasoning. The water should taste tad bit salty for it to get to the rice.
- cook for 10 to 12 minutes checking in between to see rice is not sticking at the bottom
- Let the skillet be covered with a lid all the time.

Once you se ethat the rice is cooked, turn off and serve.