Broccoli and Cashew Pulao

This I promise is a quick one pot meal. This is an awesome go to recipe when you are either too lazy to cook (happens to me once in a while) or  not motivated enough or have more exciting things to do and looking for some quick fix. 

For me in those days of desperation and many a times time crunch, I always make Pilaf / Pulao. Its a one pot meal and goes well with a side of any Raita (Yogurt dip) or just plain yogurt and some pickle. The last option of course is just ordering pizza and just sitting back and relaxing. I believe life is too short to sweat over little things.    

Today's recipe is Broccoli and Cashew Pulao, so if you are not a big fan of Broccoli  feel free to substitute   it with cauliflower florets. This was made for a quick lunch for me and the biggest broccoli fan (my 5 year old). With the weather warming up I let him play for a while with his school friends after I  pick him up from school. Its such a beautiful feeling to see the kids enjoying the outdoors. Its been  gorgeous weather, these couple days. Don't want to jinx it. So not much time to prepare lunch, I cooked this Pilaf for the very first time and loved it. 

Ingredients

1 cup rice washed and soaked in 2 cups water
2 cups broccoli florets
1 tbsp ginger garlic paste

2-3 green chillies slit lengthwise
handful golden raisins
1/4 cups cashews

1 tsp cumin seeds

2-3 cloves

2-3 black peppercorns

cinnamon stick

1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp red chili powder
2 tsp cumin coriander powder
1-2 tbsp chopped Cilantro
Oil

Preparation: 

In a thick bottomed  sauce pan, heat oil. Add Cumin seeds, when they crackle, add cloves, peppercorns, cinnamon stick. Add ginger garlic paste and let it saute for about a minute. Add the cashews and raisins. When the raisins plump up, add the dry spices and the freshly chopped Cilantro.Next add the broccoli florets and the green chillies. Mix it well. Now add the rice which you had kept aside with the water. Add salt. Give it a good stir, and cook uncovered on medium heat till almost 90% of the water has dried up. Now set the stove to the lowest flame and cook covered for about 5 minutes. Take it off the heat , fluff it well and serve. You could serve this with any raita of your choice or it tastes good as is. This recipe serves 2-3.