Spiced Vegetable Pulao in a Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1.5 cups water
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (green peas, carrot, French beans, potato, and tomato)
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2-3 green chilies, slit (adjust based on heat preference)
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 2-3 whole cloves
• 2-3 green cardamom pods
• 1 small stick of cinnamon
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves, for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak it in water for about 30 minutes, then drain.
2. In a pressure cooker, heat the oil or ghee over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and allow them to sizzle for about 30 seconds.
3. Add the sliced onions and sauté until they become golden brown.
4. Stir in the ginger, garlic, and green chilies, cooking for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
5. Add the bay leaf, cloves, cardamom pods, and cinnamon stick. Sauté for an additional minute to release their flavors.
6. Mix in the mixed vegetables and sauté for about 2-3 minutes.
7. Add the drained basmati rice to the pot and carefully mix it with the vegetables and spices.
8. Pour in 1.5 cups of water and season with salt. Stir well.
9. Close the pressure cooker lid and cook on medium-high heat until the first whistle. Then, reduce the heat to low and cook for another 5 minutes.
10. Turn off the heat and let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes. Then, release any remaining pressure manually.
11. Open the lid carefully, fluff the rice gently with a fork, and garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

Flavor Profile

This pressure-cooked spiced vegetable pulao retains the same aromatic and flavorful essence as the stovetop version but is prepared more quickly. The spices penetrate the rice and vegetables beautifully, providing a delightful burst of flavor in every bite.

Enjoy your cooking process, and if you have any more questions or need adjustments, just let me know!