Soya Chunks Pulao

Soaking time: 20 mins each (Rice & Soya chunks) I Marinating time : 30 min

Prep time: 20 mins I Cooking time: 25-30 mins I Serving: 2-3

Ingredients :-

1.5 cups / 80 g Soya Chunks (washed, soaked and squeezed properly)

2 cups / 500 ml Hot Water (for soaking)

1 cup / 180 g Rice (long grain basmati)

1.5 cups / 350 ml Water(for soaking)

4 tbsp. / 60 g Curd

1 Onion large, roughly chopped

1 Tomato large, roughly chopped

1 tbsp. Garlic, minced

2 tbsp. Fresh Coriander, finely chopped

1.5 cups / 350 ml Water

3 tbsp. / 50 ml Ghee/Clarified Butter

Salt to Taste

Spice Powders :-

1.5 tsp Turmeric Powder

2 tsp Red Chilli Powder

1 tsp Garam Masala Powder

1.5 tsp Coriander Powder

1.5 tsp Cumin Powder

Whole Spices :-

2 Bay Leaf

1 inch Cinnamon Stick

1 Black Cardamom

2 tsp Cumin Seeds

For marinating :-

In a large bowl add Soya Chunks and 2 cups of hot water. Soak for 15 - 20 minutes

In another bowl add rice, wash 2-3 times and soak in water for 20 minutes

To the blender, add onions + tomatoes and grind to a paste

As the Soya Chunks get soft, strain and squeeze out the excess water. Set aside

Take another bowl, strain the Soya Chunks and squeeze out the excess water. Transfer the soaked soya chunks to a new bowl. To the same bowl add curd + salt and all the spice powders. Mix well and set aside for 30 minutes (covered)

In a pressure cooker heat ghee on a medium flame, once hot add all the whole spices and stir for a minute. Once starts spluttering add the grinded tomato-onion mix and sauté for 5-7 minutes on medium heat

To the cooker add minced garlic and sauté for 4-5 minutes on medium heat

Next add the marinated Soya Chunks and mix well

Add fresh chopped coriander. Mix well and stir until oil separates

Add the soaked rice to the cooker and mix gently

Add water to the marinated bowl as it has all the leftover curd and spices and then add the same water to the cooker. Mix well and let it come to a boil

Once it starts boiling close the cooker and pressure cook for 3 whistles on medium flame

After 3 whistles switch off the gas. Let it cool down and let the pressure release naturally

Open the lid and, using a fork, separate the cooked rice gently.

Time to Taste :)

Serve with raita, papad, pickle etc.

Note : pls adjust the spice levels to taste