Tawa pulao ( Pan Pilaf)

I always have cooked rice in my refrigerator. Does that sound weird??? No, not because I like leftover rice. There are several reasons why. First and foremost, I don't like to eat too much outside food. Funnily enough, neither do my kids. My way of thinking is that if I have atleast some cooked rice in the fridge, I can quickly rustle up something.. A veggie stir fry, some dal.. Just papad and pickle or yogurt and pickle or make fried rice or tawa pulao as I have done here. This is another one of my quick meals, a complete meal, perfect for weeknight dinners. This meal can be ready in 15 mins! Yes, it is that easy! I am bringing this to Fiesta Friday # 57 for all my friends who work but love to rustle up a good meal!

Servings: 3-4

Ingredients:

Cooked white rice: 2-3 cups
Ghee( Clarified butter): 1 tbsp
Cooking oil: 1 tbsp
Jeera( cumin seeds): 1 tsp
Cinnamon stick: 1 inch
Cloves:2-3, whole
Cardamom: 2-3 whole,
Bay leaf: 1 small
Cashew nut halves: 1 tbsp ( optional)
Raisins: 1 tsp ( optional)
Onion: 1 medium, chopped lengthwise
Ginger garlic paste: 1 heaped tsp
Green chilli: 2 ( optional) , adjust according to your spice level.
Frozen peas and carrots: 1 cup
Parboiled cauliflower florets: 1 cup
Salt: 1 tsp
Sugar: a pinch
Black pepper: freshly ground, 1 tsp
Cilantro : 1 tbsp ( for garnishing)( optional).

Method:

Heat ghee/ oil in a sauté pan/ wok/ skillet . 

Add the cumin seeds and sauté for 30 seconds. 

Add the cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamom, bay leaves and cashewnut halves and sauté for a 30 seconds.

Add ginger garlic paste, sauté for 30 seconds.

Add the chopped onion and green chillies, raisins and sauté until the onion turns transparent. 

Add the peas, carrots and cauliflower florets. Mix well. Cover and cook for 4-5 mins until the vegetables have cooked.

Add the cold cooked rice, salt, sugar, black pepper powder and mix well. Reduce the flame,cover and let it cook until the rice has warmed.

Garnish with chopped cilantro if you wish.

Serve hot with a side-dish of your choice, raita or some cucumber slices.

Enjoy!

Cooking made easy:

I have used frozen vegetables as it was convenient for me. You can also use boiled vegetables.
Cauliflower can be cooked slightly by either letting it sit in warm water for few minutes or cooking it in the microwave for 3-4 mins.

Tip for healthy living:

Bulk up your carbs with vegetables so that it is more filling without loading up on the carbs. For example, for the above pulao, you can bulk it up with equal amount of veggies, so that you are not filling up with just rice but also get the much needed vegetables.

Food for thought:

The present time has one advantage over every other- it is our own. Charles Caleb Colton