NAVRATNA PULAO

 

 



Navaratna pulao is very tasty and rich vegetarian rice dish which is garnished with nuts and paneer. Its very nutritional as it contains all kinds of vegetables and nuts. It is very ideal for parties, get-together or such occasions. In our house we prefer to have this on week-ends. It over-rides fried rice in  its mouth watering taste. Lets have a look at the preparation method.

 

 

STEP 1 INGREDIENTS

 

Vegetables - 1 cup (cut into small cubes)

                      I added carrot, potato, green pees, beens.

                      Cauliflower can be added. (We wont use it much in our house)

                     Avoid capsicum for this recipe.

 

 

Nuts  - 1 cup

            I added cashew, badam, Raisin(kismis)

 

Paneer - 8-10 cubes

              I added amul paneer (cubed)

 

Basmati rice - 1 cup

 

Ghee - 3-4 tbsp

 

 

 

 

COOKING BASMATI RICE

 

Basmati Rice - 1cup

Water - Little less than 2 cups

Oil - 2 tbsp.

Cinnamon - 1 " (for flavour)

Lemon juice - 1/2 tsp

Salt - 1 tsp

 

 

Soak Basmati rice for 1/2 an hour in water and drain ot completely.Let it stand in the drainer for 10 min.Shake the drainer in between so that the water gets stained completely.

 

Take water in a big bowl.The water ratio will be approximately lesser than 2 cups and more than 1 3/4.If the water is too less the rice will become grainy. So  don't make it very less.

Add a stick of cinnamon to the water, lemon juice (to enhance bright white for rice) ,add oil to it (to prevent stickiness) and add 1 tsp of salt.

 

 

Let the water boil until bubble is formed. Add the soaked,drained Rice in the boiling water and cover that vessel. Now reduce the flame to medium low.

 

Set the kitchen timer for 10 mins.  After 10 mins open the vessel and check the rice.By now the rice should have completely cooked without water in it.If it is not so leave it for 1-2 mins and check. (This is entirely depends on the rice you use and the gas you cook.)So you are the right judge to extend timer.

 

When it is properly cooked and no water left behind, open the vessel and let it rest for 10 mins.  Take a flat rice plate/bown and spread the rice with fork so that the rice will become fluffier due to aeration.  Aromatice basmati rice is ready.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lets start doing for Navratna pulao now.

 

Take a pan. Heat 2  tbsp of Ghee. Add cashew fry it until golden brown. Remove only cashew  and place it  in a plate. In the same ghee add Almonds(badam) fry it and add with cahew. Next add kismis and remove it. Add green peas, fry it until it splutters and remove it. Next add  paneer , wait until it gets brown and remove it. Add veggies one by one in the same way and remove it. This is the only work for navratna puloa. Now mix all the fried items.

 

 

Take  a big size pan for assembling. Add the rest of the ghee and put the above fried nuts and vegetables.Add required salt to the veggies (say 3/4 tsp) for the amount of veggies used here.

Add 1tspof garama masala to the veggies. Give a slow, nice stir for 2-3 mins in medium heat. Add boiled/cooked basmati rice slowly to incorporate with the vegetable mixture. Don't add any salt for this(Note - already added while cooking rice). Decorate it with spring onion and coriander leaves.

Goes really well with any raita.

 

DONT WAIT UNTIL IT GETS  TOO LATE!  EAT FAST !!!EAT HOT!!!!!

 

 

BYE.