Matar Pulao – Home Cooking

Step 1: Soak Basmati Rice

Take 1 cup of long-grain Basmati rice in a bowl. Pour enough water to cover the rice, wash it a couple of times, then soak it for about 30 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare Green Chilli Paste

In a grinder, add 2 green chillies, a piece of ginger, and 4 cloves of garlic. Pulse it a few times to make a coarse paste.

Step 3: Heat Ghee and Oil

Place a pressure cooker on the stove. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of ghee and 2 tablespoons of oil to the pressure cooker.

Step 4: Add Whole Spices

To the heated ghee and oil, add whole spices: a bay leaf, a small piece of cinnamon, 2-3 cardamom pods (green and black), 2-3 cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon of cumin seeds. Sauté until fragrant.

Step 5: Sauté Onions and Green Chillies

Add 2 large thinly sliced onions and 2 slit green chillies to the pressure cooker. Sauté until the onions become transparent.

Step 6: Add Ground Paste

Add the ground ginger, garlic, and green chilli paste to the sautéed onions. Sauté until the raw smell of the paste goes away.

Step 7: Add Green Peas

Add 200 grams of fresh green peas to the mixture.

Step 8: Add Salt

Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the peas and mix everything well.

Step 9: Cook Peas

Cook the peas for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 10: Add Soaked Rice

After 5 minutes, add the soaked Basmati rice to the pressure cooker. Gently mix the rice along with the peas and other ingredients.

Step 11: Add Coconut Milk/Water

After 2 minutes of adding the rice, add 1 1/4 cup of diluted coconut milk. (Alternatively, you can use regular water).

Step 12: Add Mint Leaves

Add a few mint leaves (optional) for a pleasant flavor. Mix gently.

Step 13: Pressure Cook

Close the pressure cooker lid. Once steam starts to come from the pressure cooker, place the weight. Pressure cook for 1 whistle on medium flame.

Step 14: Serve Matar Pulao

Once cooked, the Matar Pulao is ready. Fluff the rice gently with a fork and serve hot.

• Adjust green chillies to your spice preference.

• If you don't want coconut milk, use regular water.

• Mint leaves are optional but add a pleasant flavor.

• Add other vegetables like carrots or potatoes for a mixed vegetable pulao.

• Use vegetable broth instead of water/coconut milk for added flavor.