This is my mohter in laws recipe which I am featuring as part of the Indian Indepedence day recipe roundup from my followers. I actually made this one today. I followed her instruction and the pulao was an absolute breeze to prepare. It also gets the seal of approval from our son. He sat down and did not say a word (which is RARE) as he enjoyed this pulao, especially the cashews and sultanas.
Ingredients:
2 cups basmati rice
3-4 cloves of cloves
1 stick of cinnamon
3-4 pods of green cardamom
1 pod of black cardamom
4 black peppercorns
2 bay leaves
2 red chillies
1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
¼ cup of cashews
¼ cup sultanas (raisins)
½ cup of mixed frozen vegetables (corn, green peas and carrot)
salt to taste
1 tablespoon of butter
water
Preparation time: 10 mins
Cooking time: 30 mins
Cook the rice in a rice cooker with salt. Drain the excess water and let the rice cool to room temperature.
Melt butter in pan and add red chillies. Add the whole spices including cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, peppercorn, bay leaves and cumin seeds. Saute for ½ min and add the cashews and sultanas. Cook until the cashews are golden brown. Add the mixed vegetables and cook for 2 minutes.
Add the cooked rice and mix thoroughly and let it cook for further 5 minutes.