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Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Chana (Chickpeas) & Mint Pilaf


          What's the difference between a pilaf and a briyani, as far as I know, the pilaf or pulao is mildly spicy compared to the briyani but both are equally flavorful and I like both of them. They appear in the weekly menu atleast once and so many varieties can be done by changing the vegetables or the spices. This chana or chickpeas pilaf is again a very flavorful one, gets it from the loads of mint added to it, rich in protein from the chickpeas added and forms a complete meal with some vegetable raitha..

Need To Have

  • Basmati Rice - 1 cup
  • Chickpeas (chana) - 1 cup
  • Roughly Chopped Mint - 2 cups
  • Onion - 1 large chopped
  • Cinnamon - 1" piece
  • Cloves - 2
  • Cumin Seeds - 1 teaspoon

Spice Powder

  • Dried Red Chillies - 3
  • Coriander Seeds - 1 tablespoon
  • Cumin Seeds - 1/2 teaspoon

Method 
          Make a powder with all the ingredients given under spice powder. The chickpeas should be soaked overnight or in hot water for at least 5 hours and pressure cooked with some salt. Wash and soak the basmati rice for 1/2 an hour.


          Heat some oil, add the cinnamon, cloves and cumin seeds, once the cumin seeds start sizzling add the chopped onions, saute for 2 or 3 minutes, then add 1 cup of the chopped mint leaves, mix it.


          Then add the spice powder, mix for a minute, add the drained rice and mix again.


          Now add about 2 and 1/2 cups of water and salt, cover, once it starts boiling, reduce the flame and cook till almost all the water has gone ( but still a little wet) and the rice is cooked but firm. Now mix in the cooked chickpeas and the remaining 1 cup chopped mint, lightly mix without breaking the rice. Switch off the stove, cover the vessel and leave it for undisturbed for at least 1/2 an hour. Serve it with raitha of your choice or just plain curds, I served it with the vendikkai thayir pachadi.


Note
You can use canned chickpeas if you are in a hurry.
Can add some toasted cashews at the end.

24 comments:

  1. Delicious and healthy pilaf. love it

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  2. Excellent and irresistible,makes me hungry..

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  3. Flavorful Pilaf


    Blog - http://shwetainthekitchen.blogspot.com/
    Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/ShwetaintheKitchen

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  4. Aromatic rice with lots of protein.

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  5. so good to see the post after ages.. the mint must have made the smell divine :).. one protein packed dish :)

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  6. Very tempting and healthy puloa with channa .

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  7. u know hema u chose perfect name for ur site
    aromatic cooking and ur food is aromatic indeed. i did a little trick once
    i had chana left so just mixed with simple boiled rice and adjusted spices hehe

    ur way looks better and aromatic

    Mysore pak

    Join my first event -- Be My guest

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  8. Love the addition of mint leaves..sure would make it very flavorful and aromatic

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  9. nice and tempting pulav. your version is much easy to do

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  10. Such an aromatic & filling pilaf!!
    Prathima Rao
    Prats Corner

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  11. Nutritious and flavourful one pot meal.

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  12. Delicious and healthy recipe...Love it..

    Do visit my other blog at eveydayindiancooking.blogspot.com

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  13. A very interesting and healthy combo...superb click as always!

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  14. such a flavourful pilaf,looks very tempting!!

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  15. a exotically flavored pilaf!! healthy too

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