This beetroot pulao is an amazing addition to the pulao family. Pulao, or pilaf as it is sometimes called is one of the oldest rice dishes in the world. And like many dishes of ancient origin, there are a lot of variations to it. The beetroot turns this pulao, which is traditionally a pretty savory dish into a surprisingly sweet one. Beets have always been a great mechanism for sweetening up a dish’s profile without having to add excess sugars, making this a very healthy option.
Health Benefits
Beets are one of those magical plants that make food tastes better, but they also make your diet healthier. Eating beets helps your body to lower blood pressure, increase athletic performance, improve digestion and the digestive process, and prevent certain cancers. Making beets a part of your diet also helps the body treat macular degeneration, improve skin care, increase immunity to diseases, improve blood circulation, and even treat respiratory conditions. That’s just a few of the reasons to eat beets.
Ingredients
cup Basmati rice – soaked in cold water for 30 mins.: 1
cup beetroot – finely chopped: 1/2
cup green peas –finely chopped: 1/2
cup onions chopped finely: 1/2
in ginger - chopped: 1
cloves garlic - chopped: 2-3
tsp turmeric powder: 1/2
tsp red chili powder: 1/2
tsp garam masala powder: 1/2
bay leaf: 1
cinnamon- small piece
cloves: 2 pieces
star anise - a small piece
tbsp oil: 2
coriander leaves - for garnishing
salt to taste
How To Make One pot Beetroot Pulao
- Soak basmati rice in cold water for about 30 minutes.
- Add oil to a 3 L pressure cooker.
- Add the cloves, star anise, cinnamon, and bay leaf.
- Add ginger and garlic and cook for 1 min.
- Add the onions and cook them until they change color.
- Add the green peas and beetroot.
- Sauté ingredients for 2 mins.
- Add red chili, turmeric, garam masala powders, turmeric and salt as needed
- Add rice and mix well.
- Add 2 cups of water and cover pressure cooker with its lid.
- Cook over a high flame for 1 whistle.
- Reduce flame to medium and cook for 2 more whistles.
- Let pressure diminish and garnish with coriander leaves.
Trivia
The Latin name for beet is beta.