Soya chunks are a great source of protein for the vegetarians and a good replacement for chicken.... Amma used to include this as many dishes as she could and also make this pulao often for school lunches as it is easy to pack and carry. This pulao is quick to make and makes a good wholesome one pot meal.... Unfortunately after marriage I altogether stopped making this as hubby dear was not very keen on it. When kids were born I started slowly introducing this and they too hated it. Fine......then, I will not make it anymore I told to myself. But times change, their friends change, their tastes too, I guess. I have once again started making this rice for the past few months and they love it now.... and also I have started adding them in as many dishes too.....
Soya Chunks-Peas Pulao
(Print this Recipe)You’ll need:
- Rice – 2 cups
- Soya chunks / Meal maker – ¼ cup
- Peas – ½ cup
- Onion – 2
- Tomato – 2
- Ginger garlic paste – 1 tsp
- Red chilli powder – 1-1/2 tsp
- Turmeric powder – ½ tsp
- Garam masala powder – ½ tsp
- Mint leaves – 2 handfuls
- Aniseeds – ½ tsp
- Cinnamon – 1 small stick
- Star anise – 1
- Cloves – 2
- Salt – to taste
- Oil – 2 tbsp
Method:
Wash rice and soak it for 15 min. Cut the onions thinly and chop the tomatoes finely.
Boil 2 cups of water with a pinch of salt and add the soya chunks to it. Simmer for 5 min and drain it over a colander. Squeeze out the chunks of excess water and if you want, you can cut the chunks into small bite sized pieces. Keep aside.
Heat a pressure cooker with oil. Add aniseeds, cinnamon, star anise and cloves and roast for a second. Now add the onions and sauté till pink. Add the ginger garlic paste, mint leaves and tomatoes and cook till the tomatoes turn mushy.
Now add the red chilli powder, turmeric powder, peas, soya chunks, drained rice, salt and 4 cups of water to the pressure cooker. Give it a good mix. Sprinkle garam masala powder on top and close with the lid.
Pressure cook for 2 whistles. Open the lid after the pressure is released. Gently fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains. Serve hot with Onion Yogurt Raita.
Notes:
- You can use Basmati rice instead of plain rice.
- You can also add vegetables like carrot, potato, cauliflower and beans along with soya chunks.
