Easy Veg Pulao Recipe for Lunchbox
This recipe is for a healthy and tasty vegetarian pulao, perfect for packing in your lunchbox. It’s packed with colorful veggies and has a beautiful aroma from the fragrant spices. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 tsp oil
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 cloves
- 1 cardamom pod
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 star anise
- ¼ tsp fennel seeds
- 3 green chilies
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 1 ½ tsp ginger garlic paste
- Handful of chopped mint leaves
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 3-4 green beans, chopped
- ¼ cup green peas
- Few cauliflower florets
- Salt to taste
- 1 ½ cups yogurt
- 1 ½ cups Sona Sambar rice (or any whole grain rice)
- 3 cups water
- Ghee (clarified butter)
- Cashews for garnish
- Cilantro for garnish
Instructions:
- Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan. Add cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, bay leaf, star anise, and fennel seeds. Saute for a few seconds until fragrant.
- Add green chilies and saute for another minute.
- Add sliced onions and saute until translucent.
- Add ginger garlic paste and saute until the raw flavor goes away.
- Add chopped mint leaves and saute for a few seconds.
- Add chopped carrots, green beans, peas, and cauliflower florets. Season with salt. Cover and cook on simmer until the vegetables are 60% done.
- Open the lid and add yogurt. Mix well and saute until the yogurt is well combined with the vegetables and softened.
- Rinse and soak Sona Sambar rice (or any whole grain rice) for 20 minutes. Add the rice, 3 cups of water, and salt to taste to the pan with the vegetables.
- Bring to a rolling boil, then cover the pan with a lid and reduce heat to low. Let the rice cook for about 15 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and the water has been absorbed.
- While the rice is cooking, heat ghee in a small pan. Roast cashews until golden brown.
- Once the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork. Top the pulao with roasted cashews and chopped cilantro.
- Your delicious and healthy veg pulao is ready to be packed in your lunchbox!
This recipe is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables and whole grains. The yogurt adds a creamy texture and a touch of protein, while the cashews add a bit of richness and crunch. You can also add other vegetables to this recipe, such as peas, corn, or bell peppers.
I hope this recipe blog helps you recreate this delicious dish at home!