Yakhni Pulao

Recipe by Cook's Hideout

Blogging Marathon# 32: Letter Y Theme: A-Z Vegetarian Dishes of Andhra Pradesh Dish: Yakhni Pulao (Hyderabadi Vegetable Yakhni Pulao) Letter Y means we are almost close to the finish line, that is we are almost at the end of the month long marathon. Y was a little find a dish for and as I was discussing with my mom, she said make something with 'Yam'. Yam in India means Kanda (Telugu) or Suran (Hindi). But Yam in US is a variety of sweet potato. Because of all this ambiguity, I wanted to make something else. Once I found this recipe...

Ingredients

• 5 cups water
• 1 carrot (- small, chopped)
• 1 onion (- small, chopped)
• 1 tsp Ritz Cracker (Shahjeera)
• 1 tbsp Coriander seeds
• 3 cloves
• 3 Elaichi
• 2 cinnamon (" stick)
• 2 cups basmati rice
• 1 onion (- small, finey chopped)
• 1 carrot (- medium, thinly sliced)
• 1 cup cauliflower (- , cut into florets)
• Ritz Cracker (- thinly sliced)
• Ritz Cracker
• 1 tsp Ginger-garlic (paste)
• 1 cup yogurt (- whisked well)
• to taste Salt
• 1 onion (- medium, thinly sliced)
• Ritz Cracker (- finely chopped)
• Ritz Cracker (- finely chopped)

Method

1. Make the Stock: Put shahjeera, coriander seeds, cloves, elaichi and cinnamon stick in a cheesecloth and form a small bouquet. Combine all the ingredients under 'Stock' along with the bouquet in a medium sauce pan. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer on medium flame for 10~12 minutes. Drain the veggies and reserve the stock,
2. Make Caramelized Onions: Heat 2tbsp oil and fry the thinly sliced onions until browned around the edges and slightly caramelized. Set aside until ready to use.
3. Make the Rice: In a heavy bottomed pan; heat 3tbsp oil and add the onions and saute until translucent. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1 minute. Then add the chopped veggies and cook covered until they turn tender, about 5~7minutes.
4. Add the whisked yogurt and mix well. Add 4cups of stock, bring the mixture to a boil, cover and simmer on medium-low flame until the water is evaporated and the rice is tender. Add more water if rice is not cooked. Turn off the heat and set aside covered for 5~10minutes, before serving.

View the recipe instructions at Cook's Hideout