Black chickpeas mint pulao / Pilaf

An all-in-one satisfying delicacy made with black chickpeas, peanuts, long grain rice, paneer (cottage cheese) and mint. It is a very healthy, nutritious, protein rich and delicious one-pot-meal. Mint with Pulao is light, aromatic and flavorful rice dish.

Ingredients:

To cook Rice:

• 1 cup Basmati Rice /Long grain Rice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon oil or ghee

For Pulao:

• 1/4 cup Black Chickpeas (Chana)
• 2 tablespoons Peanuts
• 2 tablespoon oil
• 1/4 cup Onion chopped in long strips
• 1/4 cup paneer cubed
• 2 Cloves
• 1 inch Cinnamon stick
• 2 Cardamom pods
• 1 teaspoon Cumin seed
• Pinch of Asafetida
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 tablepoon green chili chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoon chopped tomato
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon jeera powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garam masala
• 5-6 curry leaves
• salt on taste
• 1 teaspoon Lemon juice
• 1tablespoon chopped hara Pudina
• 1 tablespoon chopped Cilantro 

Procedure:

1. Wash the rice, add salt, oil and 2 cup water and cook them.
2. Spread the cooked rice in a flat plate and let it cool down.
3. Wash the black chickpeas (chana) and soak in water for 5-6 hours and then boil them.
4. Soak the peanuts in water for 30 minutes. Then boil it at least for 4-5 minutes.
5. Next heat the oil, fry long Onion strips till golden brown, take it out in a plate and keep aside.
6. In the same oil, fry paneer cubes till golden brown, take it out and soak them in hot water and keep aside. (Soaking the paneer in hot water keep them soft.)
7. In the remaining oil add cumin seeds, cloves, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods and asafetida. 
8. Next add chopped onion and curry leaves and sauté it for few minutes.
9. Then add chopped green chili, grated ginger, minced garlic and tomato and sauté it for few seconds.
10. Now add turmeric powder, red chili powder, jeera powder, garam masala, salt, boiled black chickpeas (chana), cooked peanuts and fried paneer cubes and sauté for few seconds.
11. Add Cooled Rice, Mix well and sauté for few seconds.
12. Then add lemon juice and chopped Pudina (mint) to the pulao and mix well.
13. Garnish with Cilantro and fried Onion strips. Serve hot.

Note: You can add vegetables of your choice like peas, carrot, potato, etc..

Sending this recipe to:
Veggie Fruit a Month (VFAM)–Onions & Priya’s VFAM page
Sending this to Ongoing event, "Spotlight : Beans & Lentil"
 Sending this recipe to Pari's ONLY’ Food For Pregnancy