vegetable pilaf & Pan-fried baby potatoes


Pilaf or pulao in which the rice is cooked by absorption method which is nothing but adding rice into a boiling broth and then cooked in high temperature. Pilaf is the lighter version of biryani with less spices and the rice is cooked along with the vegetables or meat. Whereas Biryani is often cooked by dum method in which lot of spices and meats are layered over half cooked rice. Fried rice is completely different from the other two as already cooked rice is sauteed in various sauces and no strong aromatic spices are used.

I have tried pilaf many times at home. But i don't get better results in a rice cooker. I have heard my friends often getting better pilaf in rice cookers. I find pressure cooker method to be easy and that yields me a very good, tasty and non sticky pilaf. I have used one cup of coconut milk with 1-1/2cup of water to make this dish. I used instant coconut milk. Those who doesn't have instant coconut milk at home can grate half of a coconut and extract its milk by grinding it in a mixer with about 1 cup of water. Later, squeeze it through a muslin cloth and strain the thick milk.

Ingredients
  • Basmathi rice 2cups (soaked in water for 30 minutes)
  • finely chopped onions 1 medium size
  • finely chopped carrot 1 medium size
  • Finely chopped beans 8
  • cauliflower 4 small florets
  • corn kernels 3tbsp
  • Ginger garlic paste 1tbsp
  • Green chillies 5 slit
  • cardamoms 2
  • cloves 2
  • bay leaf 1
  • cinnamon 1 inch
  • fennel seeds 1tsp
  • cumin seeds 1tsp
  • coconut milk 1 cup
  • water 1-1/2cup
  • salt to taste
  • ghee 2tbsp

Method
  • Heat 2tbsp ghee in a pressure pan and add all the spices such as bay leaf, cardamoms,cinnamon, cloves, fennel seeds and cumin seeds. Saute it.
  • Add the chopped onions and fry it till the onions become transparent.
  • Add ginger garlic paste and fry till the pungent odour vanishes. Add green chillies to it.
  • Add all the vegetables along with required amount of salt to taste and saute well. Add minimal quantity of vegetables. Now, add coconut milk and water and bring it to a boil. You can add the rice while the coconut milk mixture is boiling. mix it well. and place the lid and pressure cooker till the first whistle.
  • Wait till the pressure goes off and now you can open the cooker and mix everything.
  • Garnish with roasted cashew nuts.

Pan-Fried baby potatoes

Ingredients

  • Baby potatoes 12 (boiled & peeled)
  • Ginger garlic paste 1tsp
  • mustards 1tsp
  • cumin seeds 1tsp
  • chana dal 1tsp
  • urad dal 1tsp
  • red chilli powder 1/2tbsp
  • coriander powder 1/2tbsp
  • kuzhambu milagai thool 1tsp
  • salt to taste
  • cooking oil 2tbsp

Method
  • Boil baby potatoes. Do not overcook it.
  • heat oil in a pan and splutter mustards, urad dal, chana dal, cumin seeds.
  • add ginger garlic paste and saute well. Add the round, boiled potatoes and sprinkle all the spice powders and salt to it. Toss it carefully such that the potatoes are evenly coated with the masala.
  • cook for 5 minutes. Pan-fried potatoes are ready.

Comments

  1. yummy combo,would love to have both these dishes...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Shalini,

    Thats one great combo dear...Please dont address me as ji..Iam not old!!!:)

    Dr.Sameena@

    www.myeasytocookrecipes.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. thank you sushmaji:)i Wish u were my neighbor to taste my recipes. i would have had many of your delicious dishes. ha ha:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wonderful combo..an all time favorite at our home too..beautifully done n presented !
    first time here..one wonderful collection you have..i bookmarked some ,have to go through more :)
    will be here often.
    Do drop by my space sometime.

    US Masala

    ReplyDelete
  5. hi shalini,
    first time to ur blog ...u r have a beautiful space here with lot of yummy recipes ...this combo looks so delicious ,love ur mango rice too ..book marked ...glad to visit u ..
    if u get time do visit my blog

    Satya
    http://www.superyummyrecipes.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow yummy combination...looks so so delicious

    ReplyDelete

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