CHUTNEY PULAO

                         Cold weekends are very very  lazy, tough to come out of the warm blankets.I always look for something new and quick one pot meals .I came across this chutney recipe in Veg recipes of India.Chutney pulao , the name sounds strange right . But believe me the taste is a blast in mouth with different flavors. Minty, Spicy and above all it is yum...mmmmy. 

                        I added carrot and green peas. But we can add vegetables of our choice. I ran out of potatoes  My kid usually says no to any food that is  green 😉.Lucky me he liked this a lot.  And my little one liked the carrots which I put in the pulao. Lucky mommy  what else do we want 😇. So, write down all the ingredients and start cooking.

INGREDIENTS:
Rice                                        2 cups
Onions                                    1 large
Carrots                                    2
Green peas                             1/2 cup
Salt                                         as needed
Ghee                                      2 tbsp
Bay leaf                                 1
Cloves                                    4
Star anise                               1
Cinnamon stick                     1/2" inch
Water                                      3 cups

For Chutney
Green chilies                          5
Mint leaves                            1 bunch
Coriander leaves                    1 bunch
Shredded coconut                  2 tblsp
Ginger chopped                     1 tbsp                              
Garlic pods                            4
Jeera                                       1 tsp

PROCEDURE:
1) Wash and soak the rice for 30 minutes.

2) In a blender , add mint leaves, coriander leaves, green chilies, garlic cloves, ginger , shredded coconut and jeera. Grind until the mixture is smooth.

3) Heat ghee in a pan. Then add the bay leaf, cloves, star anise and cinnamon stick.Saute for a minute.
4)Now add the chopped onion and green chilies. Saute till the onions turn golden brown.

5) Add the carrots and green peas. Saute until the veggies are cooked.
Now add the Chutney to the vegetables . Mix well.

6) Saute until the mixture leaves the raw smell. Cook until the oil separates from the mixture.
Now add the soaked rice to it. Fry for 1 minute.

7) Now add the water to it. Add salt and lemon juice. Mix well ,cover and cook on low-medium flame until the rice gets cooked.

Turn off the flame. Let it stand for 5 minutes. 

OR  if we have lots of left over rice(not so pulao)

Follow steps 2,3,4,5 and 6.

Saute the masalas, then veggies and chutney. 

Saute until the veggies are cooked and the masala leaves the raw smell.  Then add the cooked rice and mix well. Add salt and lemon juice. 

Serve with raita.