Easy Vegetable Rice Pilaf With Mixed Veggies On Stove Top
Easy yummy Indian style mixed vegetable pulao or vegetable rice pilaf made with mild spices for a quick, delicious side or you can also enjoy this as the main dish when served with other sides like curry, vegetables, pickles, salad raita etc.
1cupmixed vegetables choppedI used frozen veggies of chopped carrots, green beans & frozen peas
½cupcornfresh or frozen
Spices:
2bay leaves
1cinnamon stick
1star anise
2cardamom
2cloves
Instructions
In a large pan, heat the oil and lightly fry the whole spices.Add the sliced onions and lightly fry for about 8 to 10 minutes until the onions are beginning to brown.Add the ginger garlic paste, stir well and saute for another 1 to 2 minutes.
Add the cubed potatoes, mix well and stir fry in low heat for about 6 to 7 minutes until the potatoes are lightly stir fried. Make sure to stir in between.
Add all the remaining vegetables and corn too, add enough salt for the vegetables, stir well. Saute for another couple of minutes.
Add rinsed white basmati rice also to the pan, add enough salt for rice and stir well the contents so the rice and vegetables are well mixed.Saute the rice & vegetable mix for a couple of minutes in low heat.
Add the water, mix everything well and gently deglaze the pan with the spatula if anything is stuck on the bottom of the pan. Also add the butter or ghee, stir in.
Heat the mixture in high heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
Once the mixture boils, cover the pan with lid and cook in low heat for 10 minutes.Once cooked for ten minutes, open the pan, stir the rice well and then cover again and cook for another couple of minute (or few more minutes) until the water is all evaporated and the pulao is cooked perfectly.Open the pan, stir the contents.
Cook in low heat (without lid) for another 1 more minute and switch off the stove. Keep the pulao closed for few minutes. After few minutes, gently stir the rice with a good quality spatula or gently fluff using a fork.Garnish with chopped cilantro leaves or curry leaves or fried onions & cashews if desired (optional). Serve the pulao hot with yogurt, salads, raita or any vegetable curry of your choice.