Sprouts Mixed Vegetable Pulao

Today's recipe is from a Telugu cooking show and I have made it a number of times since I watched the show. It is a healthy and delicious dish with sprouts, mixed vegetables and spicy masala paste. This is a great way to use sprouts and with the addition of mixed vegetables, it is a balanced dish to serve for lunch or dinner. It also reheats really well making it perfect for lunchboxes. 

Ingredients:

Basmati Rice - 1cup

Onion - 1 large, finely chopped

Ginger + garlic paste - 1tsp

Mixed Vegetables - 1cup (I used 1 small potato and 1 small carrot)

Sprouts - 1cup

Tomatoes - 2 medium, chopped

Mint leaves - 2tbsp, finely chopped

Cilantro leaves - 3tbsp, finely chopped

Salt - to taste

For the Masala Paste:

Coriander seeds - 1tbsp

Cumin seeds - 2tsp

Red Chilies - 3

Green chilies - 3 (adjust the quantity of chilies based on your taste preference)

Grated coconut - 3tbsp, fresh or dry

Peppercorns - 4~5

Mint leaves - 2tbsp 

Method:

• Rinse and soak the rice in cold water for at least 30 minutes.
• Microwave the veggies until tender and keep aside.
• Boil the sprouts until cooked through and keep ready.
• Make the masala Paste: Grind all the ingredients for masala with little water to make a smooth paste.
• Heat 2tbsp oil + 1tbsp ghee in a large saute pan; add the onions and saute until lightly browned around the edges, about 8~10 minutes. Add ginger+garlic paste and cook for 1~2 minutes.
• Next add the masala paste, cooked mixed vegetables and sprouts. Mix well and cook for 3~4 minutes until the masala doesn't smell raw anymore.
• Add the herbs, tomatoes and salt. Mix well and cooked covered until the tomatoes turn mushy, about 4~5 minutes.
• Add the cooked rice and mix well. Cook covered for 3~4 minutes for the flavors to mingle. Adjust the seasoning and serve hot.

Linking this to Valli's 'Cooking from Cookbook Challenge: June -- Week 1'.