Matar Pulao (green peas rice) is a popular rice dish made with Basmati rice, green peas, few whole spices like bay leaves, cinnamon, cardamom, mace (javitri), and some cashew nuts. This Matar Pulao can be served as a great side dish or in the main dish and this pairs well with any dal or curry or yogurt.
This matar pulao can be prepared in a pressure cooker or a pan on a stovetop. The process of making is very much similar, only the time and taste differ in making this pulao. Here, I’m sharing with you an easy one-pot rice dish in a pressure cooker that is super simple to make and takes just 30 minutes.
If you like lightly spiced pulao, and then try some of my other favorite rice recipes too: Lemon Rice, Tawa Pulao, and Thai Pineapple Fried Rice.
About this Recipe
In Hindi, the word matar is used for ‘green peas’ whereas the pulao is used for the pilaf. Thus, it is most commonly known as Matar ka Pulao or Peas Rice.
Green Peas are the star ingredient of this dish and are typically made much the same way as any other pulao dish. In the Northern parts of India, It is made especially during the winter months.
So, Pulao is a one-pot rice dish, filled with fresh green peas, long-grain basmati rice, and a few whole spices.
I made this pulao especially during winters when fresh peas are in season. It takes 30 minutes or less to make.
Each family has its own recipe for Matar Pulao. Some like to keep the dish very simple and use only whole spices, rice, and peas, while others like to add veggies like onions, carrots, beans, and a few green.
In this post, I am sharing the simple way of making this delicious Matar Pulao at home. You can make it either using an Instant Pot or in a pot over the stovetop, or in a traditional pressure cooker.
This pulao is great to serve with Indian delights like raita, curries, and dals (lentils) or this can be eaten by itself, a simple but satisfying and lighter meal. Give this pulao dish a try and I’m sure your family will love it as much as we do!
Ingredients
- To make Matar pulao, you need long-grain basmati rice for the best taste and texture. If you do not have basmati rice, you can replace it with any rice you use in your everyday cooking.
- Fresh green peas or frozen peas, both are good enough. If fresh peas are not available then you can even use frozen peas year the round as well. You can just rinse the frozen peas before using them. Of course, frozen peas don’t taste as good as like the fresh peas but it works fine.
- Whole spices create a beautiful fragrance and flavor in making this pulao. Add all the whole spices- bay leaves, green and black cardamom, cinnamon, mace mentioned in this matar pulao recipe.
- I have used ghee to make Matar Pulao, but you can use any vegetable oil or butter. If you want to make the pulao vegan, use oil.
- I have also added some cashews that make this pulao rich and tastier.
Serving Suggestions
- You can serve this matar pulao as a side or main dish with a pickle or with any kind of raita of your choice. Like Boondi Raita, Cucumber Raita, or Tomato Onion Raita. It also goes well with fresh curd.
- You can even serve it with rich creamy curries or dals as Dal Makhani, Aloo Matar, Kadhi Pakora, etc.
- This pulao can be served with fried or roasted or masala papad too.
- It is perfect for lunch boxes that your kids and your family would love to have.
Storage Suggestions
- I would not recommend storing Matar pulao or any pulao. The rice grains become quite dry and the taste is not the same as you get from the freshly made, But just in case, you are left with pulao, then store it in an air-tight container in your refrigerator.
- This green peas pulao can be last in the fridge for about 2 days when stored in an airtight container.
- While serving, you can warm in a small frying pan. Sprinkle some water, add little ghee, and mix well while reheating.
So, this easy one-pot rice dish will help you to make flavorful and delicious Matar Pulao in a pressure cooker for your loved ones without spending much time in the kitchen.
If you are looking for Matar Pulao recipe, check this out.
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Matar pulao
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 4 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Matar Pulao (green peas rice) is a popular rice dish made with Basmati rice, green peas, few whole spices. It pairs well with any dal or curry or yogurt. This easy one-pot rice dish is super simple to make and takes just 30 minutes. Simple and delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 cup (200 grams) long grain basmati rice
- 3–4 tablespoons ghee or oil
- 1 ¼ glass of water
- ½ cup (100 grams) green peas (fresh/frozen)
- Salt to taste
Whole Spices
- 2 bay leaves (tejpatta)
- 2 inch cinnamon piece (dalchini)
- 2 green cardamoms (crushed)
- 1 whole black cardamom (crushed)
- ½ mace (javitri)
- 12–15 cashews
Instructions
Preparations
- Wash the rice with water at least 2-3 times until the water runs clear.
- Soak the rice in water for 10-15 minutes.
- Then drain the water and keep it aside.
How to make Matar Pulao
- In a pressure cooker, heat ghee and let it heat.
- When the ghee is hot, add cinnamon, green cardamom, black cardamom, mace, bay leaves, and cashew nuts.
- Fry them for around 30 seconds on medium flame until the spices are fragrant. While frying, keep stirring.
- Add the green peas, sauté them for a minute on medium flame.
- Then add the drained rice.
- Stir well and fry the rice for a minute on medium flame.
- Add 1 ¼ glass of water and salt to taste as required.
- Mix it well.
- Let it comes to a boil, it takes approximately 1-2 minutes on high flame.
- Once it starts boiling, cover and pressure cook properly for two whistles on medium to high flame.
- Then turn off the heat and let the pressure release naturally and cool down completely (do not open in between).
- After 10 minutes, gently open the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.
- Matar Pulao is ready to serve.
- Transfer it to a serving bowl and serve hot with any dal or curry.
Notes
- To make Matar Pulao, you can use fresh or frozen peas.
- If you are using fresh green peas then fry them for 1-2 minutes until they become slightly tender and if using frozen, rinse them and use them in this recipe.
- This pulao dish is not spicy enough. If you want spicy matar pulao, you can add some green chilies to it.
- Instead of oil, you can use butter or ghee. If you want to make vegan pulao then use oil.
- Additionally, squeeze few drops of lemon juice that will help to maintain the rice’s white color and make pulao fluffy.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Indian, Punjabi
