Coconut Milk Pulav / Veg Pulav with Coconut Milk in a pressure Cooker

We will be seeing how to make a Pulav in the south Indian style. The coastal area of Kerala, Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Andhra are known for the rich cultivation of Coconut and Coconut is an important ingredient in the dishes they make in these regions. Here we are going to see a Pulav (generally believed to be a north Indian Cuisine) prepared with lot of Coconut milk. It is very tasty Rice dish with the rich aroma of Cinnamon, Cloves, Cardamom etc.

Ingredients:

Basmati Rice – 2 cups

Oil – 1 tbsp

Ghee (Clarified Butter) – 1 tsp

Bay Leaf – 1

Cinnamon Stick – 1 inch piece

Cloves (Lavang) – 2

Green Cardamom – 4

Cumin Seeds – ½ tsp

Aniseeds (Saunf) – ½ tsp

Onion – 1 (sliced)

Green Chilli – 2 (chopped)

Garlic – 6 pods (crushed)

Grated Ginger – 1 tsp

Cashew Nuts – 10 (break them into halves)

Fresh or Frozen Green Peas – 2 tbsp

 Beans – 8 (finely chopped)

Finely chopped Carrot – ¼ cup

Coconut Milk – 3 ½ cups

Finely chopped Cilantro (Coriander Leaves) – 2 tbsp

Method:

Wash the rice in water at least twice and then soak in water for 20 minutes. Drain the water fully well and keep the rice aside.

Heat the Oil and Ghee in a pressure cooker. Add Bay Leaf, Cinnamon stick, Cloves and Cardamom. Stir them. Add Cumin Seeds and Aniseed. Allow them to sizzle. Add the sliced Onion and roast for a minute over medium flame.

Add Green Chillies, Garlic and Ginger. Roast them for 2 to 3 minutes with little salt for 2 minutes in low flame. Add the Cashew Nuts, Green Peas, Beans and the Carrot. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes in low flame.

Add the Coconut Milk. Let it start boiling. Add the soaked Basmati Rice, Cilantro and Salt, if required.

Cover and cook in medium flame till the Coconut Milk is almost absorbed by the rice. Close the pressure cooker with its lid. And place the weight valve.  Leave it for 6 minutes in low flame. Do not weight for any whistle. Switch off the flame. Open the lid after 10 minutes. Do not disturb the rice for another ten minutes. Now, fluff the rice gently with a fork. The yummy Coconut Milk Pulav with all its flavor and vegetables is ready. Transfer to a serving bowl gently.

Note:

You can cook this Pulav even in open pot. When the Coconut milk is almost absorbed by the rice, lower the flame and cook with a lid till the rice is done. It takes about 5 to 6 minutes. Fluff the Rice and serve.

You can use any type of rice if Basmati is not available. The ratio of coconut milk to rice varies based on the quality of rice used.