Friday Lunch Special - Veg Pulao, Spicy Shredded Chicken, Cucumber Raita

Veg Pulao

Ingredients:
2 cups- Rice
Whole garam masala (3-cloves, 1 star anise, 3 green cardamom pods, 1 inch cinnamon stick, 2 bay leaves)
1 tsp cumin seeds
½ onion, sliced
1 cup mixed veggies ( I used frozen peas, carrots, corn and cauliflower)
Salt to taste
4 cups - Water
Oil
Coriander leaves to garnish

Method:
Wash the rice and keep aside. Now in a heavy bottom add a little oil , once hot add the whole garam masala and jeera seeds and sauté. Add in the washed rice and mix it with the whole garam masala till the water has evaporated (be sure not to burn the rice). Now add 4 cups of water and cook the rice. Once the rice is cooked drain out the water. Now in the same pan add little oil , once hot add the sliced onions and saute till translucent, then add the veggies and mix till water has evaporated ( if using frozen veggies) and then add the rice, at this point add salt to taste. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with cucumber raita

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Spicy Shredded Chicken

Ingredients:
3 chicken breasts(sliced into stripes)
1 ½ onion ( sliced)
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 tsp chilli powder½ tsp turmeric
3 tsp chicken masala½ lime juice
Oil
Sat to taste
Coriander chopped to garnish

Method:

Heat oil in a pan, once the oil is hot add cumin seeds. Once the seeds start to splutter add the onions and cook till translucent, add the chicken stripes and now add all the masalas ( chili, turmeri, chicken masala) and salt and mix everything well. The chicken will start oozing out water. Cook this till the water evaporates and the masala  starts sticking to the bottom of the pan slightly and oil starts foaming. The gravy has to be fried nicely so cook it well. Once it is done add the coriander leaves and lime juice and serve with pulao and cucumber raita.

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Cucumber Raita

Ingredients:

1 cucumber ( small) / ½ cucumber (larger)
4 tbsp yogurtWater ( enough water to make a smooth yogurt paste)
Salt to taste

Method:
Add the yogurt in a serving dish and whisk it with water to make a smooth paste. Add in the salt and cucumber .

Please do not forget to let me know in the comments section below if you tried these recipes.

Enjoy!!