Easy Veg Pulao Recipe for Lunchbox

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:

1. 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.
2. Add green chilies and saute for another minute.
3. Add sliced onions and saute until translucent.
4. Add ginger garlic paste and saute until the raw flavor goes away.
5. Add chopped mint leaves and saute for a few seconds.
6. Add chopped carrots, green beans, peas, and cauliflower florets. Season with salt. Cover and cook on simmer until the vegetables are 60% done.
7. Open the lid and add yogurt. Mix well and saute until the yogurt is well combined with the vegetables and softened.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. While the rice is cooking, heat ghee in a small pan. Roast cashews until golden brown.
11. Once the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork. Top the pulao with roasted cashews and chopped cilantro.
12. 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!