RECIPE: Microwave Peas Pulao

What do you do when you are short of time and yours truly suddenly decides that he wants Pulao for lunch/dinner?

You make this simple Microwave Peas Pulao!

Why?

Simply because it's easy, requires few basic ingredients and and using the microwave saves on time spent in the kitchen!

And yes, it tastes great too!

This Microwave Peas Pulao recipe is quick and easy to prepare. You can even convert it into a delicious veg pulao by adding other chopped veggies of your choice.

If you don't fancy cooking in the microwave and time is not a concern, feel free to cook the pulao the way you normally do.


Ingredients

2 cups long grain rice
½ cup frozen/fresh peas*
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp fennel seeds
1 inch cinnamon
1 black cardamom
2 or 3 green cardamom
2-3 cloves
small piece of mace
small piece of star anise (stone flower/dhagad phool)
1 small bay leaf (optional)
1 tbsp garlic-ginger paste
2 tbsps mint leaves (chopped)
1 tbsp corriander leaves (chopped)
2 medium Onions (finely chopped)
2-3 green chillies (slit lengthwise)
A pinch of turmeric
3-4 drops lemon juice
1½ or 2 cups water**
Salt to taste
2-3 tbsp ghee

Method

  1. Soak the rice in water with a little salt, lemon juice and half of the chopped onion, for about 30 minutes.
  2. Defrost the green peas/shell the fresh peas.
  3. In a microwave cooker, take ghee and add to it the cumin seeds, fennel seeds, cinnamon, black and green cardamom, cloves, star anise, mace and bay leaf (if using). Mix and microwave on high for 3 minutes.
  4. TIP: Use this time to chop the onions, chillies etc. 
  5. Add the garlic-ginger paste, turmeric powder, onions and green chillies. Mix well and microwave on high for another 2 minutes. 
  6. TIP: Use this time to chop the mint and corriander leaves. 
  7. Add the mint leaves and corriander leaves and microwave for 30 seconds. Add the peas and microwave for another 30 seconds. Mix well. 
  8. Add the soaked rice, along with the water and mix well. Microwave covered, at 100% (high) for 15 minutes. 
  9. Allow to stand (without opening the lid) for 5 minutes. before fluffing it up with a fork.
  10. Serve hot with any raita or gravy of your choice.
  11. Garnish with the caramelized onions and mint leaves.
PLEASE NOTE THAT MICROWAVE TIMES MAY VARY SLIGHTLY DEPENDING UPON THE POWER 

*If dried peas are used, soak them overnight and partially cook them first.
**Adjust the water according to the instructions on the pack if any. Generally, the ratio is 2 cups water for 1 cup rice. However, I used locally available rice which I have cooked before, so I knew from experience that I would need only 1½ cups water.

Ideas and Tips

  • I have used only peas. You can use any other vegetables of your choice. 
  • Adjust the number of chillies used according to their pungency or to suit your palate. 
  • I have used the Milton microwave cooker, but it should turn out okay in any microwave safe dish.
I hope you enjoy the recipe. Do try it out and feel free to leave your questions in the comments below. I'll be sure to answer them.

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Thanks!!
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