Peas Pulao is one of the standard menu that we cook at home for lunch. Peas Pulao recipe is simple and involves minimum cutting of vegetables. Peas Pulao gets along well with saucy gravy or spicy curries. Matar Pulao is a nice add-on dish in a grand menu for parties and buffets.
About Peas Pulao
Matar is green peas in English and Pulao is a rice based dish hence the name Matar Pulao or Peas Pulao. This super easy one pot meal is flavorful and comes handy to make when you are pressed for time. This peas pulao includes basic staples in your kitchen, less of cutting work so making this is quite simple and easy too. Each household will have a recipe for peas pulao and this is my version which I am making since many years. The flavor and aroma in this pulao is basically from green peas and whole spices. The combination of aromatic spices with caramelized onion with a mild sweetness from peas make this pulao irresistibly delicious. Peas Pulao tastes great on its own however you can pair it up with raita or Kashmiri Dum Aloo or Butter Garlic Mushroom or Shahi Paneer etc. You can either use fresh peas or even frozen peas as per the availability. Green peas is available throughout the year at the grocery stores. For those days when you cannot source fresh green peas you can use frozen peas. Matar grows & yields well in cool climate which is why they are sown in Sep-Oct in India and available in fresh & large quantities in winter. If you are outside India, availability will vary with the climatic conditions of the country you live in.
Instant Pot Peas Pulao Recipe
Instant pot method is also as easy as pressure cooking method. The measures are the same for IP method also. Soak rice in water for 15 minutes. Mean while first ON the saute mode for 10 minutes – temper the spices and saute onions along with ginger garlic paste. Then add salt, mint leaves and green peas.Give a quick saute. Add soaked, rinsed and drained rice to it, give a quick saute then add water. Switch to manual setting and set pressure cook in high mode ON for 5 minutes. Wait till the pressure releases by itself. Open and gently fluff it up.
Peas Pulao Video
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Peas Pulao Ingredients
Peas : Using fresh peas or frozen peas is recommended for this recipe. Thaw / defrost if you are using frozen peas by resting it in room temperature for 15 minutes. Rice : Basmati rice or any long grain rice is recommended for this recipe. Soaking the rice and rinsing 2-3 times will reduce the cook time and also yields fluffy rice. Do not overcook the rice – the rice should be fluffy after cooking. Spices : Aromatic spices likes cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, cloves, bayleaf are added. Flavor : You can add a handful of mint leaves for flavor. Also adding pure ghee gives peas pulao a great flavor.
How to make Peas Pulao Step by Step
Preparing rice
1.Soak 1 cup basmati rice for 15-30 minutes. Use long grained rice for best results.
Tempering the spices
2.Heat 1 tablespoon oil + 1 tablespoon ghee in a pressure cooker – add whole spices 1 1 small bay leaf, 1/2 inch cinnamon, 2 nos cloves, 2 cardamom, 1 small star anise and 1 teaspoon cumin seeds. Let it splutter. 3.Add 2 green chilies, 2 teaspoon ginger garlic paste. 4.Fry for a minute until golden. 5.Add 1/2 cup sliced onion along with required salt to taste. 6.Fry until golden. 7.Add 1/8 cup mint leaves saute for a minute.
Adding green peas
8.Add 1/2 cup fresh green peas cleaned and rinsed well. If using frozen peas thaw it first, rinse it well then add. 9.Saute for 2 minutes.
Adding rice
10.Add soaked, drained basmati rice. 11.Give a quick saute. 12.Add required water, check salt by tasting it now and adjust accordingly.
Cooking rice
13.Pressure cook for 3 whistles in medium flame. 14.Once pressure releases open. 15.Fluff the rice gently. It may look sticky at this stage, later it will become grain separated and more fluffier. Serve hot with your favorite side dish! We relished it with small potato tikka.
Expert Tips
Rice – Soaking rice helps in giving grain separated fluffy soft rice so I always recommend to soak at least for 15 minutes. Peas – Using fresh green peas gives the best taste. However you can use frozen peas too. Green peas when cooked turns to pale green making it look dull. You can add a pinch of sugar not more that that to retain the fresh color. Spices – All the spices mentioned here are must to add as it lends a great aroma to this pulao. Sides – Raita or any spicy gravy would go great with peas pulao.
Serving & Storage
Enjoy Matar Pulao meal hot with a gravy like dum aloo, paneer butter masala, shahi paneer or any raita or plain curd. Best to consume within hours of cooking as peas pulao tastes great when it is hot. You can refrigerate for next meal & heat it with a stove top or microwave before use.
1.Why is my Peas Pulao sticky?
Sometimes rice looks sticky soon after opening. Fluff it with a fork gently once it becomes warm it will become grain separated. In case even after cooling if rice is mushy or sticky then there might be 2 reasons : Peas would have overcooked and got opened up making the rice starchy / sticky. Another possibility is that rice should have got over cooked or excess water was added with rice.
2.Is it a must to add mint leaves?
Mint leaves is optional but adds great flavor to this dish. Alternatively you can add coriander leaves for garnish too.
3.Is Matar Pulao a good idea for lunch box?
Matar Pulao tastes good for lunch box. Pair it up with any spice gravy or curry and you are good to go. Lunch box with peas pulao and baby corn golden fry If you have any more questions about this Peas Pulao Recipe do mail me at [email protected]. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest ,Youtube and Twitter . Tried this Peas Pulao Recipe? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.
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