Veg Pulao Recipe | Vegetable Pulav Rice

Veg Pulao Recipe | Vegetable Pulao | Pulao Rice | Veg Pulav Recipe with detailed photo and video recipe. An easy and simple flavored rice recipe made with long-grain rice, a choice of vegetables, and fresh herbs. It is one of the popular rice variants or choices for many Indians and is often served for lunch and dinner, if not for morning breakfast. The simple pulao recipes do not contain all the required flavor and spice in them and can be served as it is, but tastes great when served with simple yogurt raita.

Veg Pulao Recipe | Vegetable Pulao | Pulao Rice | Veg Pulav Recipe with step-by-step photo and video recipe. Rice-based recipes are an integral part of Indian cuisine and are made for different reasons. Each and every state have its own unique variants made with rice, but the pulao recipe is common across India. It can be made with different types of ingredients, herbs, and spices, but today I am sharing a basic and simple vegetable pulao recipe filled with fresh herbs and spices.

I am a huge fan of mint and coriander-flavored rice recipes. Be it the popular Hyderabadi biriyani, or mint and coriander-based pulao, I make it every week for my lunch and also for dinner. Particularly the combination of mint, coriander, and dry spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and pepper takes any recipe to the next level. The usual pattern for me is to prepare this early morning and serve it to lunch or lunch boxes. This gives it sufficient time to dry up all the moisture and also the rice would absorb all the flavors into it. Further, I generally do not make any other dish as a side to it, but simple raita is more than sufficient on any day. Yet you can explore other options like salna, saalan, mixed dal, or any gravy-based curry. If you wish to serve this pulao with a curry, saalan or moong dal would be the best choice.

Furthermore, some additional tips, suggestions, and variants to the simple veg pulao recipe. Firstly, you can make this recipe with other rice variants like sona masuri or any short-grain rice, but basmati is the most preferred one. Especially if you are planning to make it for any occasion or celebration, I would heavily recommend using basmati rice. Secondly, adding vegetables is open-ended and you can add as per your preference. Ensure to dice them in the same size and also make a note of the cooking time for each veggie so that some of them do not overcook. Lastly, the same pulao can be made without using fresh herbs. you can make it just with dry spices to make a white-colored pulao. Alternatively, you can also use either coriander or mint leaves to make just one flavored pulao.

Finally, do visit my other Pulao Recipe Collection with this post of veg pulao recipes or mixed vegetable pulao recipes. It includes my other types of recipes like sama ke chawal pulao, tomato bath, masala pulao, vermicelli pulao, shahi pulao, pudina rice, coconut milk pulao, brinji rice, rice bath, aloo matar pulao. Further to these, I would also like to mention my other recipe categories like,

• Biriyani Recipes
• Rice Recipes
• Breakfast Recipes

About Veg Pulao:

Pulao or flavored rice recipe is basically a Persian cuisine-influenced rice recipe which is popularly known as pilaf rice. Veg pulao or Vegetable pulav which is forked from the famous meat pulao made with long grain rice, mixed vegetables, and herbs. It is typically prepared as a lunch box or tiffin box combo meal served with a choice of yogurt-based raita or plain curry.

There are myriad ways to prepare this simple flavored rice but depends upon where and what the occasion is. This particular white-colored pulao is particularly prepared for big occasions like marriage or celebration feasts. It is also best served with a combination of spicy curries like salan, salna, or even spicy dal recipes. However, it is not mandatory and can be served as it is with additional toppings like boondi, sev mixture, and even chips.

Why this recipe works

There are quite a few reasons which work in favor of this recipe. To name a few –

1. Combination of Flavor – The recipe for vegetable pulao is made with a combination of vegetables, herbs, and spices. Hence each bite of this rice should pleasantly surprise with a burst of flavor.
2. Complete Meal – Due to the combination of rice, vegetables, and herbs, it offers a balanced diet and meal. As a matter of fact, it can be the perfect choice with all the nutrients and minerals in just one meal.
3. Easy Customizable – The recipe can be easily customizable as per the individual taste and preference. The choice of spices, herbs, and vegetables is open-ended and can be easily mixed and matched.
4. Any Occasions – The flavored veg pulao or any kind of pulav can be a perfect choice for any occasion. It could be a simple lunch box, or festival feast, or any kind of small or big celebration.
5. Universally Liked – Perhaps, after the biriyani recipe, pulao should be the most liked flavored rice recipe. Be it kids, adults, or even old-aged groups, pulao rice never disappoints.

Chef Pro Tips –

I have tried to make this recipe simple and easy, yet few mandatory tips and recommendations for veg pulav –

1. Rice Selection – The nonsticky pulao texture mainly depends upon the selection of rice. My recommendation is to use basmati rice, but you may opt for sona masuri too.
2. Combination of Vegetables – The selection of vegetables in this recipe is open-ended, yet select the vegetables smartly. Keep it simple and basic with balancing each other and do not complicate it.
3. Vegetable Stock vs Water – The ideal way of preparing any pulao is the use of vegetable stock or even chicken stock water. This adds more taste and flavor. However, water is more handy and practical.
4. Water to Rice Ratio – I follow, a 1:2 ratio of rice to water for basmati but for sona masuri, I would recommend 1:3.
5. Resting Period – Typically, once the pulao is cooked, allow it to rest for a minimum of 30 mins. This should dry out and all the flavors should be absorbed by the rice. Moreover, pulao rice taste great when served the next day.
6. Accompaniments – Due to the combination of flavors in the pulao rice, the best way to serve pulao is with a cooling raita or salad. However, you may also use salan, or even any spicy gravy curry.

Faqs for Veg Pulao:

What is veg pulao?

It is basically a combination of flavors or flavored rice cooked with a choice of vegetables, herbs, and spices. It can be a perfect one-pot meal for lunch and dinner.

What vegetables can I use for veg pulao?

Well, the choice of vegetables is open-ended. You may choose, beans, carrots, potatoes, capsicum, mushrooms, and even corn kernels. However, try to balance it and chop them evenly.

Can I use regular rice instead of Basmati rice?

Yes, you can. However, the most recommended one is basmati rice. Choosing other rice may alter the water to rice ratio combination and hence select it accordingly.

Is veg pulao spicy?

It is typically a mild to medium-flavored rice recipe. However, based on the chili selection and individual taste preference, the spice level can increase or decrease.

Can I make veg pulao in advance?

Yes, you can prepare it in advance and store it airtight container. You may have to refrigerate it for 1-2 days of shelf life. If refrigerated, you may have to reheat or re-steam it.

What can I serve with veg pulao?

It can be served without any side or accompaniments. Yet it taste's great when served with salad, raita, or spicy gravy like salan or any type of dal curry.

How do I prevent the rice from turning mushy?

Do not overcook the rice and also follow the correct amount of rice to water ratio.

Can I use a rice cooker to make veg pulao?

Yes, you can certainly use the rice cooker or even a pressure cooker to prepare the rice.

Video Recipe:

Recipe Card for Vegetable Pulav:

How to make Veg Pulao with step-by-step photos:

1. Firstly, in a small mixer take ½ cup coriander, ¼ cup mint, 1-inch ginger, 2 clove garlic, 2 chili, 2 pod cardamom, 1-inch cinnamon, 5 cloves, and 1 tsp fennel.
   
2. Add ¼ cup water and blend smooth paste. keep aside.
   
3. in a large kadai, heat 2 tbsp ghee. add 1 tsp cumin, 1 bay leaf, 1-inch cinnamon, 2 pod cardamom, 3 cloves, ½ tsp pepper, and 5 cashews.
   
4. saute on low flame until the spices turn aromatic.
   
5. now add ½ onion and saute until the color changes slightly.
   
6. further, add 1 tomato, 5 beans, ½ capsicum, 2 tbsp peas, ½ carrot and ½ potato.
   
7. saute for a minute until the vegetables turn aromatic.
   
8. now add prepared coriander pudina masala paste and 1 tsp salt. mix well.
   
9. further, add 2 cup water and stir well getting to a boil.
   
10. once the water comes to a rolling boil, add 1 cup of basmati rice. make sure to soak basmati rice for 20 minutes.
    
11. mix well, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
    
12. after 20 minutes, veg pulao is ready to serve.
    

onion tomato raita preparation:

1. firstly, in a large bowl, take 1 cup curd and whisk with 1 cup water.
   
2. add ½ onion, ½ tomato, ½ cucumber, 2 tbsp coriander, ½ tsp roasted cumin powder and ¼ tsp salt. mix well.
   
3. Finally, onion tomato raita is ready to enjoy with mix veg pulao.
   

Notes:

• Firstly, make sure to add veggies of your choice to make nutritious pulao.
• Also, soaking rice helps to cook faster and gives extra long grains.
• Additionally, I have used ghee for its rich flavor. you can replace with oil.
• Finally, the vegetable pulao recipe tastes great when served with onion tomato raita.