Tawa Pulao

umbai is world famous for its array of mouth watering street foods especially the chaats available at every street corner. Juhu beach, especially is the most famous hub... a very crowded place where you often find yourself wading through a sea of people with the sound of the waves crashing in the background often looking for the next yummy food stall that gets your attention among the numerous street food vendors lined up. No trip to this beach is complete without having those delectable chaats that they serve there and possibly a healthy dose of pani poories, vada pav, batata, bhel.

Tawa pulao is another such road-side delicacy. It is a very easy and different kind of a pulao recipe. You wouldn't think of rice with veggies as ingredients for your typical street food but this pulao might just give your idea of street food a complete makeover. Kudos to those vendors that come up with ideas like these.
I like the crunchiness of the vegetables and the pav bhaji masala adds a distinct flavor to the rice. It is made on a tawa or griddle hence the name. These chaat wallas are so good with fusion cooking and so innovative. This rice is now also served at fancy restuarants and even top chefs boast of having this in their repertoire.

Ingredients: Serves 4-6

Cooked basmati rice .................... 4 cups at room temperature

Onion ...................................... 1 small finely chopped

Tomato .................................... 1 small finely chopped

Green Peas ............................... 1/2 cup

Cauliflower ............................... 1/2 cup finely chopped(optional)

Bell Peppers .............................. 1 cup finely chopped (you can use a combination of red, yellow and green peppers)

Ginger Garlic Paste ...................... 1 tsp

Pav Bhaji Masala ......................... 2 tsp
Turmeric powder ......................... 1/2 tsp

Red Chilli Powder ....................... 1 tsp or to taste

Oil ......................................... 2 tbsp

Asafoetida ................................ a pinch

Cumin Seeds ............................. 1/4 tsp

Lemon Juice ............................. 1 tbsp

Cilantro ................................... 1 tbsp chopped for garnishing

Method:

1. In a non-stick pan, heat oil on medium heat. Add in hing and cumin seeds. Let them splutter. Add the onions  salt and turmeric and cook for 2 - 3 minutes.

2. Add in the tomatoes and ginger garlic paste. Cook for 3 - 4 minutes while stirring. Add the cauliflower and green peas and cook till the cauliflower is slightly tender, about 4 minutes.

3. Add the red chilli powder and pav bhaji masala and mix. Cook for 2 minutes.

4. Add the cooked rice with bell peppers and stir to combine. Mix gently to form an even mixture and cover let cook  on low heat for 7 - 10 minutes.Stirring in between.

5. Add the lemon juice and cilantro. Mix and serve or with some raita. ENJOY!

Notes:

1. You can use your own choice of veggies and adjust the amount of pav-bhaji masala to your taste.
2. Pav bhaji masala is easily available in any Indian store. I use the Badshah brand.

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