Soya Chunks Pulao

Aah! This is a great rice dish for veggies and well as for non veggies. The soya chunks in this pulav gives it that super twist of taste. Its one of my mom's signature dish! Here's a lovely fulfilling rice dish specially for you!

Ingredients:

FOR RICE:

1. Long grain Rice or any Basmati Rice  --  2 cup
2. Salt  --  2-3 tsp(put salt a little more because you will discard the water from rice)
3. Star Anise  --  2
4. Cinnamon Sticks  --  2-3
5. Cloves  --  3-4
6. Black Pepper  --  4-5
7. Green Cardamom seed  --  2 crushed 

For VEG:

1. Green Beans  --  sliced 1/2 cup
2. Carrot sliced  --  1/2 cup
3. Green Peas  --  1/2 cup
4. Soya Chunks (Boil in sufficient water and then discard the water and squeeze the chunks)  --  1/2 cup
5. Cauliflower  --  1/2 cup
6. Curd  --  2 tbsp
7. Onions sliced  --  1 cup
8. Crushed Ginger Garlic  --  2 tsp
9. Tomatoes  --  1 cup
10. Coriander Leaves and Mint Leaves  --  1 cup
11. Turmeric Powder  --  1tsp
12. Chilli Powder  --  1tsp
13. Coriander Powder  --  1tsp
14. Garam Masala Powder  --  1tsp
15. Salt  --  as per taste
16. Oil  --  3 tbsp
17. Sultanas/Raisins  --  8-10

Method:

• Boil sufficient water in a deep bottom sauce pan add salt and all the whole spices into the water.
• Now add the Long grain rice and let it cook. Check frequently not to over cook the rice. Once the rice is done quickly drain the water and keep the lid open or spread the rice in a flat vessel so that it doesn't continue cooking.
• Now for veggies in a deep kadai heat oil or ghee as per your taste add the onions and saute till slight brown colour. Add the Crushed Ginger and Garlic and then saute well. The raw smell of the ginger and garlic should not be there.
• Add tomatoes and mix well. Now add rest of the spices from 10 to 14 and continue stirring.
• Now add all the vegetables, soya chunks and the beaten curd to the vegetables and add salt to taste.
• Now keep the lid and let the vegetables cook nicely
• When the vegetables and done add the raisins and switch off the stove.
• Now either you can mix the vegetables with rice or layer them.
• Keep this for some time with the lid as all the flavours will blend together with the rice.
• Serve hot with Raita and Pappad.