Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Lentil Pulav / Masoor Pulav

Lot of people can do a lot of things. Some are natural at swimming or arts or music. Me? I am a natural when it comes to food. Not just the eating part, but making part of it. Oh yes, I love food. If not for the consciousness of getting wide and wider, I could live to eat good food. My mother and grand mother used to say that there is something in a person's hand that whatever they cook, becomes great tasting. I don't think it has anything to do with the hand. It has everything to do with mind - understanding flavors and understanding the math of how much to use for what. Here is a simple rice and lentil dish that serves as a main dish. A one pot meal to be exact.
One Year Back - Oatmeal Bread
Two Years Back - Zucchini Bread
Ingredients:
Whole Masoor / Red or Green lentils - 1/2 cup
Basmati rice - 1 cup soaked in water for 30 minutes
Oil - 2 TBSP
Cumin - 1 tsp
Red onion - 3 medium or 2 large sliced thin
Garam masala - 1 tsp
Red chilli powder - 1/2 - 3/4 tsp
Amchoor powder / Dry Mango powder - 1/2 tsp (See Notes)
Cumin Powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt - to taste
Cilantro - 1/4 cup chopped
Method:
Wash and rinse masoor. Add enough water and start cooking it till cooked but not mushy. Turn off the heat and drain the excess water. Save it for using while cooking the rice.
In a pan, heat oil. When hot, add cumin followed by onion. Sprinkle some salt and let it wilt. When onions are almost cooked, add red chilli powder, amchoor powder, cumin powder. Mix all well and add drained rice, cooked lentil. Mix one more time and add enough water to the reserved water to make 2 cups. Pour it into the pot and bring to a boil. Add more salt if required. When there is a full boil and most of the water has evaporated, add cilantro and lower the flame and cover with a lid. Cook for 5 - 10 more minutes till rice is completely cooked. Turn off the heat and fluff the rice after 10 minutes. Serve with raita or plain yogurt.

Notes:
If you cannot get dry mango powder, when the rice is done, add the juice of a lime and mix well.

Linking it to Srivalli's Blogging Marathon.

Enjoy.
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24 comments:

  1. I make a similar one with whole moong... I loved the pot in the first pic...

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  2. Delicious pulao and lovely presentation.

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  3. Healthy & protein rich pulao. Never tried a rice dish with whole masoor dal, will give this a try. That's a cute looking dish in the 1st picture -- is it a pitcher?

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    1. Pavani,
      Thanks. That is an earthenware I picked from some antique store. It is just like the matka but in a different shape.

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  4. Pulao looks wholesome and fabulous.

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  5. Recipe sounds good and it's very good to have such interesting ones for those tough days..:) ..I guess it comes with hand and mind to a larger extent..invariably those two components are directly proportional to each other, what do you say?..my point of view might take up more space than this..so I will reserve it..hhehe

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    1. Sure, hand is required. If one is clumsy, they can't do a good job. But I still think it is more of mind thing since understanding flavors is not everyone's cup of tea.

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  6. Lovely recipe Champa....my mom makes this delivious rice, I have a version posted somewhere...should really capture a nice pic , you have done a marvellous job

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  7. simple and wholesome and I love the presentation vessel

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  8. I love the container so unique. My thoughts I think cooking is not science but more of an art and hand does play an integral part in cooking and its not just mind. Just my thoughts...

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  9. Love the pot first followed by your recipe!!!!!

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  10. Lovely presentation, I almost want to go to the kitchen and make some asap:)) Love the preparation and nice recipe. I make a similar one with different spice combination.

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  11. Nice recipe Champa. I guess understanding how the ingredients get along with each other brings out the flavor of the dish.The earthen ware looks cute...

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  12. well for sure the pot captures u..and then the rice''have tried with all the major lentils..pulses..but masoor never tried!..will surely give this one a shot!

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  13. i love the pot and and nice dish...where did you get that pot...

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    1. Vanamala, Thanks. I got it in an antique store along with another earthen ware.

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  14. I never cooked masoor pulav but once tried paanch dal pulao and masoor was one of the dals.

    Rice is perfectly cooked and looks delicious!

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  15. A healthy rice dish! Love that wood container. Lovely clicks.

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  16. Healthy recipe...i love ur vessel spl in which u serve rice

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  17. lovely pic there.. earthernware pot adds so muchh glamour with such simplicity :)

    Kalyani
    Sizzling Tastebuds
    Hosting Walk Through Memory Lane – July 2012

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  18. a very healthy one pot meal! Love the earthenware in the first picture.

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