Vegetable Pilau

Transform your weeknight dinners with this vibrant and aromatic Vegetable Pilau, a one-pot rice dish packed with colorful veggies and warm, earthy spices. Featuring fragrant basmati rice cooked to perfection with cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, and garam masala, this recipe brings authentic flavor to your table in just 45 minutes. Complemented by a medley of carrots, peas, green beans, and bell peppers, it strikes the perfect balance between hearty and wholesome. This Vegetable Pilau is ideal as a standalone vegetarian meal or a flavorful side for your favorite curries. Easy to make, irresistibly delicious, and bursting with Indian-inspired goodness, it’s a surefire crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups basmati rice
• 3 cups water
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 0.5 cup peas
• 0.5 cup green beans, chopped
• 1 medium bell pepper, diced
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 inch cinnamon stick
• 3 cardamom pods
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the basmati rice under cold running water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, and bay leaves. Sauté for about 30 seconds until the spices release their aroma.

Step 3

Add the sliced onion to the pot and cook, stirring frequently, until it turns golden brown.

Step 4

Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and cook for an additional 1 minute until the raw smell disappears.

Step 5

Add the diced carrots, peas, green beans, and bell pepper to the pot. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables are slightly tender.

Step 6

Mix in the salt, ground turmeric, ground coriander, and garam masala. Sauté for 1 minute to blend the spices with the vegetables.

Step 7

Add the drained rice to the pot and stir gently to combine with the vegetable mixture, ensuring the rice is well coated with spices.

Step 8

Pour in the water and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until the rice is cooked and water is absorbed.

Step 9

Once the rice is cooked, remove the pot from heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 10

Fluff the rice gently with a fork, then garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1751.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1035.1

Total Fat 44.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 25.2g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3705.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 145.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.1g	0%
Total Sugars 27.6g
Protein 24.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 345.5mg	0%
Iron 15.0mg	0%
Potassium 1850.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 37.0%

Protein: 9.0%

Carbs: 54.0%