A Walk Down Memory Lane
My earliest memories of growing up in Delhi, India was eating my mom’s vegetable rice pilaf or Pea Pulao on a cold winter’s evening. The reason this vegetable rice recipe was made during the winter months is that peas were in season and they were at their freshest and sweetest. It is the ideal comfort food that I still turn to when I want something quick, simple, without sacrificing flavor. Now I can make it all year-round with the help of frozen peas!
What is a Pulao?
Depending on where you live, you may spell it, pilaf (US), pilau (UK), or pulao (India). The earliest documented recipe of rice pilaf goes way back to the 10th century in the Middle East. Believe it or not, it is so widely popular around the world; here are a few countries and regions that serve variations of this dish that you may be familiar with: India, Brazil, Bangladesh, Caribbean, Central Asia, France, and Greece.
Pilaf or pulao is a rice dish that usually involves cooking in some type of broth or stock (vegetable, chicken, beef, fish, etc.), along with adding a variety of aromatic spices like cloves, red chiles, ginger, vegetables like peas, bell peppers, and tomatoes and other ingredients like shrimp, clams, and sausage. Just to clarify, pulao is not Biryani even though they use many of the same ingredients. The cooking process, textures, and tastes are where we see the differences. The most known version of Pulao is the Spanish version called paella.
What is Peas Pulao?
In India, Pea Pulao or vegetable pulao is an extraordinarily popular dish that is made using basmati rice, fragrant spices, and green peas. The amazing thing about this versatile, vegetable rice pilaf dish is that you can eat it alone or customize it to satisfy any taste bud in your family. The possibilities truly are endless, which makes this the perfect vegetable rice main dish, side dish, or base for your next family meal, potluck, or picnic.
What is Matar Rice?
In Hindi, matar is known as green peas and pulao is known as rice pilaf. So, interpreted loosely to mean, ‘rice flavored peas,’ involves way more than rice and peas. What makes this traditional vegetable rice recipe so special is the combination of flavorful and fragrant spices like cloves, cardamom, cumin, and the contrasting texture of the onions and peas.
What Can I Add to Rice to Give it Flavor?
Rice by itself is like vanilla ice-cream, adding your favorite and imaginative toppings catapults it to a whole new level! Let’s get creative!
✔ Try replacing cooking water with flavored broth. This adds a rich flavor and aroma to the rice.
✔ Add slices of your favorite dried fruit such as mangos, apricots, cranberries, currants, raisins, or even figs. This adds a chewy texture with a hint of sweetness and it also looks beautiful as well.
✔ Add some crunch and texture with your favorite seeds like chia, pumpkin, sesame, flax, and sunflower. Seeds not only amplifies the texture of your rice, but it also adds tons of nutrition as well. I call this a “win-win!”
✔ Add toasted walnuts, pecans, almonds, peanuts, or even hazelnuts. Toasting is an extra step you won’t regret, it brings out the natural oils from the nuts, it intensifies the flavors, it is very aromatic and a bonus is, it’s also good for you.
How Do You Spice Up Cooked White Rice?
There are tons of ways I add flavor to cooked white rice, I just go by what flavor I feel like eating at the moment or what the family requests are! Rice really is a beautiful, blank canvas, so exercise your artistic ability and make it your masterpiece! The possibilities are truly endless.
✔ Try adding ghee or olive oil with some salt and black pepper while hot for a simple take.
✔ Want to go sweet, try adding sauces like honey, hoisin, or sweet soy sauce.
✔ Need to add some heat, try adding spices like chile flakes, dried paprika, fresh cilantro, and lime juice, or curry powder.
✔ Who doesn’t love dessert! If you want to try something out of the box and transform your white rice into an after-dinner treat, try adding brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, currants, and coconut milk.
The Instant Pot and Cooking Rice
The Instant Pot has become so popular over the years and with good reason. For me, it replaces my rice cooker and saves me a lot of time in the kitchen when I am in a rush and want to get dinner on the table fast. If you have hectic days like me, going from place to place running errands around town or with kids, then you would love using the Instant Pot, I can throw the rice in there and when I return home, the rice is done…boom! It will help you make this Pea Pulao or vegetable rice pilaf dish a breeze.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet!
| SHORT GRAIN RICE RICE- 1 CUP WATER- 1 CUP STOVE TOP- 12 MIN. INSTANT POT- 5 MIN. | MEDIUM GRAIN RICE RICE- 1 CUP WATER- 1 1/4 CUP STOVE TOP- 18 MIN. INSTANT POT- 5 MIN. | LONG GRAIN RICE RICE- 1 CUP WATER- 1 1/4 CUP STOVE TOP- 15 MIN. INSTANT POT- 5 MIN. |
Health Benefits & Allergens
There are a multitude of health benefits to this vegetable rice dish if prepared as directed. Here are a few you can gain by using the ingredients in this dish:
- Olive Oil- Rich in monounsaturated fats, contains antioxidants, and an anti-inflammatory
- Cumin- High in antioxidants, is anti-inflammatory, can help control blood sugar
- Cardamon- Packed with antioxidants, may lower blood pressure, may help with digestive problems
- Bay Leaf- A rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium
- Cinnamon- Is loaded with antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory properties, may lower blood sugar level
- Clove- High in antioxidants, may improve liver health, may promote bone health
- Green peas- Rich in Fiber, Protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, and good for digestion
- It’s gluten-free
- It’s vegan
- It’s dairy-free
Leave a comment below and let me know how you served this!
-BON APPÉTIT!
