~< Peas pulao >~

Here is a recipe on demand. You know who you are ;) !

Ingredients :

Hadn't taken a solo picture of pulao, so putting up a photo of the whole ensemble !

1 tsp cumin seeds
4 cloves
6-7 whole black peppers
2 cardamom
2 bay leaves
1 star anise
1 inch cinnamon stick
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
2-3 green chillies finely chopped
1/2 cup cashew nuts
1 cup basmati rice,
(soaked for 15-20 minutes)
1 cup of peas / mixed vegetables of choice
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp oil
Salt to taste

Directions :

1. In a pressure cooker** heat oil. Add cumin seeds an let it sputter.
2. Add cloves, cardamom, pepper, bay leaves, cinnamon stick and saute until they are aromatic.
3. Now add green chillies and ginger-garlic paste. Saute for 15-20 seconds.
4. Add peas (or vegetables of your choice) and cashews**. Give it a stir.
5. Add basmati rice and 2 cups of water, 2 tbsp of lemon juice and salt to taste. Mix well.
6. Pressure cook on medium flame for two whistles.
7. When the pressure is released, fluff the pulao and serve hot.

**Note :
1. You can make this recipe in a rice cooker also. Instead of pressure cooker use a medium pan for steps 1-5. Then transfer this mixture into a rice cooker and let it cook as per the regular rice-cooker settings.
2. I like my cashews soft, that is why i add it to the mixture before rice is cooked. You may also just fry them in butter separately and add on top of pulao just before serving.

~< Panchmel dal >~

Ingredients :

1/3 cup tooar dal
1/3 cup moong dal
1/3 cup chana dal
1/3 cup whole green mung dal
1 tbsp cup urad dal
2 tomatoes, diced
3 green chilies, finely chopped
1 tsp ginger paste
2 tbsp chilli powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp amchur powder
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 bay leaves
4 cloves
a pinch of asafetida
3 tbsp clarified butter (ghee) / vegetable oil
2 tbsp chopped cilantro
2 tsp lemon juice
salt to taste

Directions :
1. Combine all the five dals. clean and wash them thoroughly. Soak in water for at least 30-40 minutes.
2. Pressure cook dal with around 4 cups of water.
3. In a bowl mix all the powder-spices with 4 tbsp of water. Let the mixture sit till the lentils are cooked in pressure cooker.
4. Heat ghee in a pan. Add cumin seed and fry till they sputter. Add asafetida, cloves, bay leaves, ginger paste and green chillies. Fry for 30 seconds.
5. Add tomatoes and cook till they soften. Now add the spice paste made in step 3 and salt. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes.
6. Now add the pressure cooked dal. Stir and cook for around 4-5 minutes on medium heat. If the consistency of dal is too thick add hot water as per desire. Simmer for 5 minutes.
7. Turn off the heat and add lemon juice and cilantro.

Serve hot with choice of chapati, rice, pulao or baati !