Ammalu’s Kitchen

Peas Pulao

Sundays have always been hectic for us from the time we moved into a new apartment. This was one of those first weekends we decided, not to entertain, but just laze around , do some reading that has been pending for long and spend time with each other, So the cooking also took a backseat as we decided to have a simple brunch.

My hyderabadi roots make me partial towards pulaos and biryanis and the craving has been considerably high since the time I moved here . I always go check new places here , hoping to eat anything closer to a hyderabadi biryani or pilau, never had luck until now! I decided to make a simple pilau to satisfy my craving and added an onion raitha as a side dish to go with it.

Wash one cup basmati rice and keep aside for at least 20 minutes. Finely chop a medium sized onion and thaw and defrost half cup of peas. Heat oil in a vessel and add a teaspoon of cumin seeds , a bayleaf, 2 cloves, 2 cardamoms,a 1/2 inch cinnamon stick and saute for 2 min. Add onions and then after they turn transparent add the peas and saute for 2 minutes and drain the rice and add to the vessel..Saute and wait until the oil coats the rice nicely and then add 2 cups of water for the same and keep covered for 10-15 minutes until the rice is cooked. You will find small holes on the rice as sign of rice being cooked.Then take a few sprigs of cilantro and mint, finely chop and add to the rice for flavour and then remove from heat. Serve with any curry or raitha.