Veg Pulav/Pilaf with Soyabean Chunks

Hello Everyone, today I got a vegetarian Pulav recipe for you all. Its perfect alternative for biryanis, very delicious and my all time favourite. Its my mother's recipe and she used to prepare it with just whole spices (Garam Masala), which are all mostly dark colored with rice so while we were kids we used to call it "black & white pulav". She used to add soyabean chunks which were like cherry on the cake. Some times she also added jack fruit to it but only during its season. Its a super easy recipe and always a hit in my house. Sushant loves to eat it with just plain curd and homemade aam ka achar. So without wasting much of the time here you go with the ingredients following the method.

Ingredients :

• Basmati rice/Any long grain rice : 1 cup
• Soya chunks : 3/4 cup
• Onions : 1 cup thinly sliced
• Cumin Seeds : 1 tsp
• Bay leaves : 2 nos
• Cloves : 4-5
• Cinnamon stick : 1 large size
• Black Cardamom : 2 big or 3 small sized
• Green Cardamom : 4 nos
• Mace : 1 small sized
• Star Anise : 1 nos (optional)
• Black Peppercorns : 1 tbsp (Coarsely crushed)
• Whole red chillies : 2-3  
  
• Oil : 2-3tbsps
• Salt : As per the taste
• Water : 2 cups (appx)

Method :

• Soak rice in water for 10 minutes. Drain the water completely and keep it aside.
• Soak soya chunks in salted boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Once soaked properly, squeeze them and keep aside.
• Now, in a pressure cooker heat oil, when its medium hot add cumin seeds, let it crackle, add cinnamon stick, bay leaves, both cardamoms, cloves, star anise, mace, whole red chillies. Let them saute for few seconds, let them release their flavours. Then add thinly sliced onions and fry till they are golden brown. 
• Once done add crushed peppercorns and soya chunks, mix well and saute for a minute. 
• Add drained rice and salt (I used 2 tsp), give it a gentle mix and finally add water (I added 1+3/4 cups), it varies as per the variety of rice, usually it takes double the amount of rice. Let it come to a boil, close the lid with weight, let the flame be on high. 
• As soon as you get the first whistle lower the flame to low and cook for another 4-5 minutes. 
• Switch of the flame and let the pressure completely subside. 
• Open the cooker, let it sit for couple of minutes, then gently mix with a fork and serve.

Enjoy it with plain yogurt, pickled onions or mango pickle.

Please do share your experiences and feedback with me in the below section of comments or on my Facebook page. I too have a You Tube channel please do visit for all the video recipes. All the links mentioned below :) 

YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/user/cookwithpriyanka

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Thanks & Happy Cooking
Priyanka