Soya chunks pulav

Soya chunks are kids favorite. As a child I remember being so excited when I knew it was soya chunks getting cooked for dinner. They are easy to cook too with a very high protein content as well. Its sold by Nutrela in India that is why they are commonly called Nutrela soya chunks.

After a day at work, I did not quite feel like cooking. I think it would be more appropriate to say I felt like cooking a one pot meal that is delicious and also nutritious. My mind started debating between cracked wheat vegetable mix and vegetable rice. I started comparing what is more filling, which one is more appetizing as dinner etc etc..Gosh the researcher mind just does not stop evaluating every thing! Ultimately the rice pulav won!  I did not quite feel guilty of under feeding my family because the pulav had rice, vegetables and soya protein and bonus I will have some spare time for me! ALL SMILES!

I am sharing the following recipe which came out more delicious than I thought and that is why decided to share with you all. The entire rice was gone in a single meal.

Serves: 4 hungry people.
Saves: A lot of time for a busy women

Ingredients:

1/2 cup frozen mixed vegetables

1/2 cup soyabean chunks

1/2 medium onion

1-2 green chilly powder

1 tbsp ginger paste

1 tsp coriander powder

1 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp Garam masala

2-3 Bay leaves

Butter for tempering

Salt to taste

Chopped cilantro for garnishing

Recipe:

1. Thaw the frozen vegetables by microwaving about a minute. To boiling water, add salt and then add nutrela soya chunks. Cook for about 3-4 minutes till the soya chunks are soft.

2. In a pressure cooker (if you plan on making pulav in pressure cooker) or in a deep pot, add 3-4 tbsp of preheated butter, melt the butter, add cumin seeds. Let them splutter. 

3. Add ginger, green chilly.

4. Add onions, salt, bay leaves, turmeric, coriander powder, garam masala.

5. Now add cooked nutrela soya chunks and stir thoroughly to mix the spices and vegetables.

6. Wash rice in water.

7. Add the washed rice to the mixture. Cook the rice in the mixture for about 3-4 minutes. Keep stirring to keep the rice from sticking the bottom of the pan. After 4 minutes add double the quantity of water to the rice, cover and cook, OR else if in the pressure cooker whistle for 1-2 whistles (about 7-8 minutes). The pulav is ready.

8. Garnish with cilantro leaves and serve warm with pickle of your choice and yoghurt.