Simple peas pulao

This recipe is very easy to make. No masalas or complicated procedures involved. Serve this rice with dal or a spicy side dish and enjoy.

Ingredients1 cup basmati rice
1/2 cup frozen green peas
2 cloves
1 small piece of cinnamon

1 or 2 bay leaves
2 tsps jeera
3-4 green chillies
1 tsp ghee
1 tsp oil
Salt to taste

Method1. Soak the basmati rice in water for atleast 15 minutes. This makes the rice soft and fluffy when cooked.
2. Pour oil in a heavy-bottomed pan or a non-stick pot (it should be able to hold 1 cup of rice when cooked) and saute the jeera, cloves, cinnamon and green chillies.
3. Add the peas and saute till tender.
4. Drain the water from the rice completely and add to the pot.
5. Add the ghee and saute till the rice is slightly toasted.
6. Add the water (2 cups of water to 1 cup of rice) and salt and let it boil. Do not cover with a lid.

7. In about 7-8 minutes the rice will absorb all the liquid and you will see a few bubbles on the top. At this stage, reduce the flame to low and cover with a lid for 10 minutes. Switch off the stove after 10 minutes. Let is rest for a couple of minutes after that.
8. Carefully mix with a slotted spoon and serve.

Serving size - 1 cup
Number of servings 4

Dal and White Rice - the anytime comfort food

Whatever may be the comfort food for the rest of the world, for people from India dal and rice is what is comfort food and takes you down memory lane. Have it for lunch or dinner, dal and white rice is what I call the ultimate comfort food. Here goes the recipe for dal.

Ingredients1 cup thuvar dal
1 medium size onion
1 medium size tomato
1 tsp garlic paste
3-4 red chillies depending on taste
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp jeera
A few curry leaves
1/2 tsp of asafoetida
Salt to taste
Oil for seasoning
Corainder for garnish

Method1. Pressure cook the dal. Use 2 cups of water for 1 cup of dal.
2. Pour oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds. Once they splutter, add the jeera, red chillies and curry leaves.
3. Next add the onions and fry till they become transparent.
4. Add the garlic paste.
5. Add the tomatoes, cover and cook till it becomes soft and well blended with the onion and garlic.
6. Mash the cooked dal with the back of the spoon and add to the onion-tomato mix.
7. Add salt to taste and mix well.
8. You can alter the consistency of the dal by adding a little water.
9. Garnish with fresh chopped coriander.

Serving size - 1 cup
Number of servings 4 to 6