MATAR SOYA PULAAV

Rice is one of the most popular staple food. People of all ages love to have rice with their favorite gravies, curries or simply with curd. This grain is so versatile that it can be used to make lots of different types of food items. Plain rice, Biryanis, Pulaos, dosa, uttapam, idli, Puffed rice, papad and even modak are made with rice.

Although rice is grown in many countries around the world, almost 90% of the rice is produced in Asian countries. China and India are the largest producers of rice in the world. Rice is consumed in almost all countries in the world and is an integral part of the cuisine of most countries worldwide. China, Southern India and Japan use rice as one of the main ingredients in their main dishes.

Besides Asia, Africa also has rice as their most staple food and common source of carbohydrates. In Latin American countries too rice is used tremendously and Brazil is one of the largest producer of rice in that region.

A versatile crop it is, rice can be grown in moist conditions as well as it can grow in dry climate equally well. Rice is one of the most dependable food in the world. More than half of the world population consumes rice as main part of their daily food and serves as main source of carbohydrates or the daily need of calories.

In India, we see rice is made into various types of biryanis and pulaos which can be eaten as it is and mostly do not need any gravy side dish like daals or kadhi. Pulaos are very popular in Northern India and can be made with any kind of combination of rice with vegetables, lentils, meats, and many other types of food like soya, paneer etc.

In this recipe we have used a combination of peas and soya chunks thus making the dish a delectable combination of vitamins, proteins and carbohydrates. 

Matar Soya Pulaav is very easy to make but still you can add this sumptuous recipe to your party menu replacing your normal plain rice with this impressive pulaav. Soya chunks are a great food to supplement the protein in the diet. For peas, you can use fresh or frozen peas in this recipe but flavor will not be affected. So whether it is season for fresh peas or not, you still have a recipe in hands to prepare any time of the year.

Ingredients

for 3-4 persons

• Basmati Rice 1 cup
• Soya chunks 1/2 cup
• Green peas peeled 1/2 cup
• Tomatoes chopped 2
• Salt to taste
• Garam masala 1 tsp
• Coriander powder 2 tsp
• Ginger garlic crushed 1 tbsp
• Green chilli chopped 1
• Red chilli powder 2 tsp
• Cinnamon sticks 1-2
• Black Cardamom 1
• Green cardamom 2
• Cloves 2 -3
• Cumin seeds 1tsp
• Bay leaves 2
• Black pepper corns 5-7
• Onion chopped 1
• Oil as required

Method

• Wash and soak rice for 40-45 minutes.
• Soak soya chunks in hot water for 20 minutes.
• Heat oil in a wok. Add whole spices, salt and saute for few seconds.
• Add chopped onion.
• When Onion turns soft add crushed ginger garlic.
• Saute for 15-20 seconds.
• Add chopped tomatoes.
• Add powdered spices. Mix well.
• Add green peas and a little water.
• Cook peas for 10-15 minutes.
• Squeeze water from soya chunks and add to the masala.
• Cook for another 5 minutes.
• Add rice and 2 cups of water.
• Let the mixture boil on medium heat and cover it.
• It will take 15-20 minutes to cook.
• Switch off the heat.
• Wait for 5-10 minutes to open the cover.
• Matar Soya Pulaav is ready.
• Serve hot with raita.