BM #99 Day 1 -
Achari Chana Pulao is a tangy and spicy pulao with chana and vegetables of our choice.
Starting today, our blogging marathon group will be posting different varieties of Biryanis, Pulaos and Khichdis with rice and other grains as part of the April Mega BM.
I have chosen to do them alphabetically. So for today it is A for Achari Chana Pulao. This recipe has been inspired by Vahchef and I found that making this in Instant Pot makes it hassle free.
I have used a blend of store bought pickle and homemade pickle. I am sure each type of pickle will give a different flavor to the pulao and so we can have a lot of variety depending on the types of pickles we use.
Recipe Inspiration - here
Ingredients -
Basmati Rice 1 1/2 cups
Kabuli Chana / Garbanzo Beans, cooked 2 cups
Carrots washed, peeled and sliced 2 cups
Onions, thinly sliced 1 cup
Ginger-Garlic Paste 2 Tbsp
Salt 2 1/2 tsp (or to taste)
Turmeric 1/4 tsp
Mint and Coriander leaves, finely chopped
Garam Masala - coarsely ground
(2 tsp Cumin Seeds, 1 tsp Coriander seeds, 1 Black Cardamom, 5-6 Cloves, 2 inches Cinnamon, 7-8 Black Peppercorns)
Yogurt Blend -
(Yogurt 1 cup, Mustard Powder 2 tsp, Coriander Powder 1 tsp, *Any Pickle Masala 2 Tbsp)
Seasoning -
(Ghee 3 Tbsp , Mustard Seeds 1 tsp, Fenugreek 1 tsp, Kalonji 1 tsp, Cumin Seeds 1 tsp, Asafotida 1/8 tsp)
* I used a blend of Mango Ginger Pickle (store bought) and Amla Pickle (homemade)
Note - Add Red Chili Powder if needed. I felt that the spice from the pickles was enough
Method Of Preparation -
Wash and soak Basmati Rice in about 4 cups of water. Soak for at least 30 minutes.
Coarsely grind the Garam masala as listed in the ingredients. Set aside.
In a mixing bowl, blend the yogurt with the ingredients listed under 'Yogurt blend'.
Power on the Instant Pot placing the inner pot in place. Set it to Saute mode. In the Instant Pot inner liner add Ghee and the rest of the seasoning ingredients. After a quick stir, add in the coarsely ground garam masala.
After a few seconds, add in the sliced onions and ginger-garlic paste. Saute until the onions are translucent.
Add in the boiled Chana and carrots. Mix well. Pour in the yogurt blend, sprinkle salt and turmeric. Mix well and allow the mixture to cook for about 2 minutes.
Drain the Basmati Rice, spread it on the simmering masala. Sprinkle mint and coriander leaves. Gently add about 2 cups of water. Close the lid, make sure the steaming vent is closed. Set it to Manual 4 minutes. Quick release after 10 minutes.
[I added 2 1/2 cups and I felt the rice was slightly overcooked.]
Unplug the Instant Pot. Uncover the lid, fluff the pulao gently.
Serve hot with Raita.
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM#99
Serves 4-5
Same pinch Harini, your plate looks so inviting!...fantastic to know that you are doing AtoZ too..
Very nice, I have made something similar to this. Looks very delicious.
Achar clearly seems to be the flavour for the day. Beautiful beginning to the mega BM. Such a sumptuous looking meal. Looking forward to read all the other dishes you put up!!
Achaari dishes seem to be the flavor of the day. Your version is a flavor loaded one with that achaar - yogurt mixture and garam masala.
This achari word is really hit for Letter A .. love the flavor of pickle in cooking process and this rice recipe looking so inviting.
Absolutely fantastic ! I love anything achaari , be it rice or sabzi ! This Achaari pulao has delicious flavours , flavours to die for .
Flavourful beginning to the Mega marathon !
Today is achari pulao day. Love the varieties you guys are coming up with. This one looks really spicy and absolutely yum.
Such a delicious and yummy flavored biryani with channa... Yummy share...
Lot of Achari pulaos today. Now I got to make it too. What a flavorful and spicy dish to start with.
another achari pulao :-) this one is so fabulous, isnt it HArini .. the pics look so vibrant and I look forward to all ur dishes this BM !
Wow, can’t wait to try this delicious recipe, it looks very tempting! Lovely share!
I am now so tempted to try a Pulao with achar in it .never tried it but it looks so tempting and delicious
he recipe sounds so delicious and chatpata with the achari flavours..lovely share..very well explained recipe. Looking forward to all your recipes for the event.
You have explained it so well. Thank you for the instapot version which seems easy. Lovely share