Tawa Pulao / Butter Pulao

          Tawa pulao / butter pulao is a famous Maharashtrian street food available in many of the pav-bhaji thelas. It is quick and easy to prepare yet tastes delicious. Even novice cook can create this wonderful rice dish within minutes as no special skills of selecting, roasting and grinding of any of the spices are required! The pav - bhaji masala itself is the sole and unique taste giver which is readily available in all the Indian grocery stores. This also forms an excellent way to give a new life to the left-over rice!

Ingredients:

• Basmati rice - 1 cup (If not available regular sona masoori rice can also be used)
• chopped onion - 1cup
• Chopped capsicum (Bell peppers) - 1 cup 
• Chopped tomato - 1 cup
• Cooked and cut potato - 1 cup
• Boiled green peas - 1/2 cup

(Along with these vegetables cooked beans, carrots, cauliflower can also be used) 

• Ginger - garlic paste - 1 tsp
• Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
• Fennel seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
• Pav - bhaji masala - 1 1/2 tsp
• Chili powder - 1/2 to 1 tsp
• Finely chopped cilantro (green coriander) - 1/4 cup
• Lemon juice - 2 tbs
• Butter - 2 to 3 tbs ( Ghee or oil can also be used instead)
• Salt - to taste

Method:

• Wash the basmati rice thoroughly add two cups of water, 1/4tsp salt (optional) and 1tsp oil and cook in a rice cooker or pressure cooker until 3 whistles. Adding oil prevents the rice from getting sticky. Allow the cooked rice to rest undisturbed for atleast 30 min - 1 hr or until it is completely cool and then separate the grains so that they remain unbroken.

• Heat the butter in a large tawa (skillet) or pan. Add cumin seeds followed by fennel seeds

• When they are brown add onion and saute until they sweat. Add the capsicum and saute them until they are done. Its OK if they retain slight crunchiness. Then add tomato and saute.
• Add in the ginger-garlic paste followed by potato and green peas, mix well.

• Add turmeric powder, pav-bhaji masala, chili powder and mix. 
• Add 1/2 cup water, mix and let it boil for some time. This prevents masala powders from getting burnt and also add some moisture to the rice added.

• Add in the rice, cilantro, lemon juice, salt (be cautious if some salt has been added while cooking rice) and give a thorough mix.

• Remove from stove top and serve hot with raita, pickle and papad of your choice.

Watch the video for the recipe:

                      

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