Soya chunks and vegetable pulao

Soya chunks are good for the health. I try to make something out of them as frequently as possible. Today I made spicy soya chunks and vegetable pulao. It was really good and is very simple to make. I like one pot meals as they are easy to prepare and would require less oil and you could include as many veggies as possible.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups Basmathi rice

1 cup soya chunks

1 cup mixed veggies (I used red pepper, green pepper, green peas and carrots. You can use any combination of veggies or just frozen vegetables)

1/2 medium sized onion chopped

1/2 tomato chopped

2 green chillies chopped

1 tbsp ginger garlic paste

1 tsp yogurt

1/2 tsp red chilli powder

1/2 tsp coriander powder

1/2 tsp garam masala

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

salt to taste

2 tbsp oil

1 tsp ghee

Whole garam masala - 2 cardamom pods, 2 cloves, 1 piece cinnamon, 2 bay leaves

Wash and soak the rice for 15 mins. Pre cook the soya chunks as per the instructions given on the box. I usually boil them along with 4 cups of water for 5 mins, then switch off the stove and keep them aside for another 10 mins. Then rinse them in water and squeeze the water out off them. It is very important to squeeze the water completely.

In a pressure cooker/pan heat the oil. When the oil is hot enough add the whole garam masalas. After they start spluttering add the onions and green chillies and saute till the onions turn transparent. Then add the ginger garlic paste and saute for 2 to 3 mins. Now add the tomatoes and saute for another 2 mins. Add the vegetables and cook them till they are half done. Finally add the pre cooked soya chunks, yogurt, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala and salt and mix them well. You can now add the rice and saute for few more mins.

If you are cooking in a pressure cooker just add the water and ghee and cook for two whistles or 10 mins whichever comes first. Alternatively after adding the water and ghee you can transfer the contents to a rice cooker and cook till they are done.

The aroma of the rice and soya chunks cooking will just make you hungry. It has an very nice flavour and taste. You might not even need any curry or side dish for this rice just serve them hot along with raita.