Mattar Pilau

Mattar Pilau is a fragrant rice dish cooked with peas, spices, and ghee for a light yet flavorful meal.

Ingredients

1. Long grain rice 1½ cups
2. Ghee 1 tbsp
3. Whole cloves 4
4. Cinnamon stick 1 small
5. Cardamom pods 3–4, bruised
6. Cumin seeds 1 tsp
7. Ground turmeric ½ tsp
8. Green peas and diced carrots 1½ cups
9. Salt 2½ tsp
10. Hot water 3¼ cups

Instructions

1. Preparing the Rice

   • Wash the rice thoroughly.
   • Soak in cold water for 30 minutes.
   • Drain well before cooking.

2. Frying the Whole Spices

   • Heat ghee in a heavy saucepan.
   • Add cloves, cinnamon, cardamom pods, and cumin seeds.
   • Fry for 1 minute until fragrant.

3. Adding Rice and Turmeric

   • Add turmeric and drained rice to the pan.
   • Stir over medium heat for about 3 minutes to coat the grains.

4. Cooking the Pilau

   • Add peas, carrots, salt, and hot water.
   • Bring the mixture to a quick boil.
   • Reduce heat to very low, cover tightly, and cook for 25–30 minutes without lifting the lid.
   • Once done, uncover and let steam escape for 3 minutes.

5. Finishing Touch

   • Remove whole spices.
   • Gently fluff the rice with a fork.
   • Serve hot with meat or vegetable curries.