Easy Sada Pulao Recipe – A Simple and Fragrant Rice Dish

Sada Pulao is a light and aromatic rice dish made with minimal spices. This versatile recipe is perfect as a side dish or a main meal when paired with curries, dals, or raita. It’s a quick and easy option for everyday meals or special occasions.

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 2 tbsp ghee or oil
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 2 green chilies, slit lengthwise (optional)
• 1 bay leaf
• 4-5 black peppercorns
• 2-3 cloves
• 1 small cinnamon stick
• 2-3 green cardamoms
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp kewra water (for good aroma)
• 1/2 tsp orange food color (optional)
• 2 cups water
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. Rinse and Soak Rice

1. Rinse the basmati rice under running water until the water runs clear.
2. Soak the rice in water for 20-30 minutes, then drain and set aside.

2. Prepare the Tempering

1. Heat ghee or oil in a deep pan over medium heat.
2. Add cumin seeds, bay leaf, black peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon, and cardamoms. Sauté for a few seconds until fragrant.

3. Cook the Onions

1. Add the sliced onions and sauté until golden brown.
2. Add green chilies (if using) and sauté for another minute.

4. Add Rice and Water

1. Add the soaked and drained rice to the pan and stir gently to coat the grains with the tempering.
2. Add 2 cups of water and salt. Stir and bring the mixture to a boil.

5. Cook the Pulao

1. Once the water starts boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let the rice cook for 12-15 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender. Add kewra water and food color if using.
2. Turn off the heat and let the pulao rest for 5 minutes before fluffing it gently with a fork.

6. Garnish and Serve

1. Garnish the pulao with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
2. Serve hot with dal, curry, or raita.

Tips

• Use good-quality basmati rice for long, fragrant grains.
• Avoid over-stirring the rice while cooking to prevent breaking the grains.
• For extra flavor, you can add a some fry onion handful of green peas or a few cashews fried in ghee.

Nutrition Chart for Sada Pulao (per serving, approximately 4 servings)

• Calories —————— 200 kcal
• Total Fat —————— 7 g
• Cholesterol ————— 10 mg
• Sodium ——————– 300 mg
• Total Carbohydrates — 32 g
• Protein ——————— 3 g
• Sugar ———————— 1 g
• Fiber ———————— 1 g

Note: These values are approximate and may vary depending on the ingredients used and portion size.