Name: Quick Soya Matar Pulao
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 150 g Basmati Rice, washed and soaked; 50 g Textured Soy Protein Chunks, soaked in hot water and squeezed dry; ½ cup Green Peas, fresh or frozen; 1 medium Onion, sliced; 1 medium Tomato, chopped; 2 tbsp Cooking Oil; 1 tsp Cumin Seeds; 1 tbsp Ginger-Garlic Paste; 1 tbsp Biryani Masala, store-bought; ¼ tsp Ground Turmeric; 300 ml Water; 1 tsp Salt, to taste; 2 tbsp Mint Leaves, chopped

50 mintotal

35 min hands-on15 min hands-off

Prep 15 min · Cook 20 min

Serves: 2
Difficulty: Easy
Spice: Medium

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Method

Heat cooking oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or pressure cooker over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and let them crackle.
Add the sliced onions and fry until they turn golden brown.
Add the ginger garlic paste. Sauté for a minute until the raw smell is eliminated.
Stir in the chopped tomatoes, biryani masala, turmeric powder, and salt. Cook until the tomatoes are soft and the oil starts separating from the masala.
Add the soaked and squeezed soya chunks along with the green peas and chopped mint leaves. Toss them well in the masala and roast for 2 minutes to lock in the flavor.
2 min
Drain the soaked basmati rice and add it to the pot. Stir gently for 1 minute.
1 min
Pour in the measured water and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
Reduce the heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 12-15 minutes until the rice is fully cooked and all the moisture is absorbed.
12–15 min
Turn off the flame and let it rest for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork to reveal perfectly separate, aromatic grains.
5 min

How to tell it's done

Fluffy, deeply flavored rice grains packed with the meaty bite of soya chunks and sweet, tender green peas.

Getting it right

Tip

Thoroughly squeezing the water out of the soaked soya chunks acts like a sponge, allowing them to absorb the aromatic biryani masala broth instead of remaining bland.

What to serve it with

A fulfilling, high-protein meal perfect for lunchboxes. Serve with Cucumber Onion Raita and crispy Papad.

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Ingredients