Dill Pulao!

I think every one who cooks, realizes that it is indeed hard to decide what to cook for the next meal! Well I go through this dilemma every day. And to make any meal special is to make dishes that are different and interesting.
I do make different types of pulao but coming back to making it interesting and different I tried the dill pulao today.

Ingredients:

Rice: 2 cups.

Dill leaves: 2 bunches.

Onions: 1 large onion (slice half portion and cut into chunks the other half).

Bay leaves: 2 no.

Fresh Green peas:1/2 cup.

Oil: 4-5 table spoon.

Salt.

Masala: Grind

Green chillies: 4 no.

Ginger: 1 inch.

Garlic:1 clove.

Cinnamon stick : 2 inch pieces.

Cloves: 3 cloves.

Cumin seeds: 1/2 teaspoon.

Onion:1/2 onion cut to chunks.

Coriander leaves: 1/2 cup.

Method:

• Start by soaking the rice for 20 minutes in cold water.
• Clean the dill leaves and chop them.
• Slice the onions.(1/2 of the large onion or one small onion).
• Grind the masala mixture into a smooth paste using very little water
• I have used a pressure cooker to cook the pulao directly. Place the cooker on a medium heat.  
• Add oil to the cooking pot, once the oil is hot add the chopped onions, bay leaves followed by the dill leaves and fry them for few minutes. 
• Then add the peas and drained rice and fry them well.
•  Once the rice is coated well with oil, add the ground masala and fry till the masala mixes well with the rice.
• Finally add water (1:2) that is 4 cups to the cooker. As it begins to boil, add salt and cover  the lid and add the weight. 
• After 2 whistles, switch off the stove and allow it to cool. Your Pulao is ready. 
• Serve this pulao with any Raitha.

Note|:

Spice level can be adjusted as per taste.

If you want fluffy rice use less than 1:2 water. 

Crispy Fried Okra.

Okra has been used in different ways in Indian cusine. I wanted to try frying  this wonderful vegetable! It is crispy and crunchy and can easily be substitute for Papad or Chips which are used during meals (bit more healthy).

Ingredients:

Okra- 10-12 nos.

Bread crumbs: 1 cup.

Chilli powder- 1 teaspoon.

Maida flour- 2-3 tb spoon.

Salt.

Frying oil.

Method:

For this recipe use fresh okra which are tender. Clean the okra and air dry them or wipe with a kitchen towel if using immediately to remove any moisture.

Cut the okra into 1-2 inch pieces and keep aside.

In a bowl mix maida  with water to make a thin paste.

I prepared bread crumbs using left over bread that was at home.( crumble them in a food processor/ mixer).

To the crumbs add salt and chilli powder.

Heat the oil in a frying pan, and start working.

First add the cut okra pieces into the maida flour paste and then dip them into the bread crumb mixture. Coat the okra completely with crumbs.

Fry the okra till golden brown on a medium heat. Repeat the process till all the okra is fried.

They are crisp outside and soft inside and can be enjoyed just as a snack or as part of a meal.