Aayi’s Recipes Konkan/Konkani food blog, Indian culinary treasures

It was one of those days, when I had a lot of vegetables in refrigerator which needed to be used. I was exhausted after a busy day at work. So I decided to make a one pot dish packed with vegetables. The mild spices give an amazing aroma. Beetroot gives a touch of sweetness. It was a very filling and delicious pulav. Other vegetables like green beans, carrots etc also can be included in this, but I didn’t want vegetables to totally overpower the pulav. I suggest using all fresh spices and freshly made ginger garlic paste for best results. I served it with a simple raita.

Ingredients:
2 cups basmati rice
1/2 cup sliced onion
1 cup beetroot finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped spinach
1/2 cup vegetables – green peas, cauliflower
2 bay leaves
2 cardamom
Ghee/oil
1 tea spn coriander seeds
1 tea spn cumin seeds
4-5 cloves
1″ cinnamon
1 and 1/2 tea spn chilli powder
1 tea spn chopped ginger
1 tea spn chopped garlic
Salt

Method:
Heat oil and add coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cloves, cinnamon. Grind to a smooth paste with ginger and garlic (I use mortar and pestle to make the paste).
Heat a little ghee and add bay leaves, cardamom, onion, spice paste. Fry till onions turn slightly brownish.
Add chopped beetroot, fry for a minute. Pour in about 2 tbl spns water, cover and cook for about 2-3mins (helps in cooking beetroot faster) till water is absorbed.
Now add rice and all other vegetables, spinach and fry for few minutes.
Add salt, chilli powder, about 4 cups water. Mix well. Cover and cook on a medium heat till done.
Serve hot with a cool raita.

Serves : 4-5
Preparation time : 40mins