Soy-nugget Pilaf

After three days of traditional cooking, me and my family wanted some change."Something that you haven't done " came from my son. "Something healthy "- my dear hubby.This is what we are going to enjoy tonight.

Wholesome soy-nuggets or soy chunks cooked with fresh and whole spices along with fresh herbs ...My house is filled with aroma. Usually I make pulao with basmati rice but for a change I tried it with regular Sona masoori rice. It was equally good.

Here goes the recipe

Ingredients

Rice..................................1 cup * see notes
Soy chunks .......................1/3 cup
Onion ............................... 1 medium (thinly sliced)
Tomato ............................. 1/2 
Cinnamon..........................1 inch stick
Bay leaf ............................2
cardamom                          1
Clove ................................1
Peppercorns.......................3
Ginger................................1/2 inch
Green chilli ........................ 1
Garlic   ..............................2 cloves
Yogurt ............................... 2 tbsp
Oil   ................................. 2tbsp
Ghee .................................1 tsp
Kitchen king masala...........1 /4 tsp
Mint and coriander leaves .. Handful
Salt ................................... to taste

lemon juice (optional)........ 1 tsp

Method

1. Wash and soak rice for 10 minutes.
2. Bring a pot of water to rolling boil.Turn off the heat and add soy chunks with some salt and turmeric.
3. After 10 minutes , drain and squeeze the excess water.
4. Heat oil and ghee in a heavy bottom pan and add whole garam masala items and saute for 10 secs.
5. Add onion and saute till golden brown.
6. Add the soy chunks and saute well.
7. Then add ginger + garlic + green chilli paste and saute well. 
8. Now add yogurt and mix thoroughly.
9. Add the drained rice along with salt and garam masala and add required water.
10. Add chopped mint and coriander leaves and mix well.
11. Cook it until almost all the water is gone and then cover and keep it in simmer.
12. Add lemon juice (if adding) and mix well.
13. Turn off the heat after 5 minutes.

Enjoy hot and aromatic pulav with any raita of your choice.

Note

For basmati rice , rice and water ratio is 1:2
For sona masoori I used  1: 3.