Vrat ke chawal ka pulao | Sama Rice Pulao | Barnyard Millet Pulao

“Vrat ke chawal ka pulao”  is an easy recipe for fasting days. In India, navratri has already started and I made this recipe for the first day of fasting. If you don’t want to eat anything fried and relatively fatty food while fasting, then you can try this recipe. Samvat rice are gluten free as well so more people can have this pulao and enjoy the fasting.

Serves: 2

Preparation time: 30 mins. to soak

Cooking time: 20 mins.

Ingredients:

1 cup sama rice / barnyard millet / vrat ke chawal

1 teaspoon jeera / cumin seeds

½ inch ginger (finely chopped)

1 medium sized potato (cubed)

2 green chillies (finely chopped)

2 tablespoon oil / ghee(clarified butter)

2.5 cups water

Rock salt to taste

Black pepper powder to taste

2-3 tablespoons fresh coriander leaves

1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)

Directions:

1. Wash sama rice twice and soak them in enough water for 30 minutes.
2. In a pressure cooker, add ghee and once hot, add in cumin seeds. As they splutter, add in green chillies and chopped ginger and saute for a minute on low flame.
3. Now, add potato cubes and chopped coriander leaves (saving some for garnish) and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Drain the rice and add it to the pressure cooker.
5. Add in water and salt.
6. Cover the pressure cooker with lid and cook for 3 whistles. Allow the pressure to release naturally.
7. Open the lid of cooker and fluff the rice with a fork. Add in lemon juice and give a gentle mix.
8. While serving, garnish with leftover fresh coriander leaves and black pepper powder and serve immediately.

Tips:

• Amount of water required to cook rice may differ as per the variety so adjust the water ½ cup more or less to get soft or textured rice.
• I had not used any spices except cumin seeds as they are not allowed in our culture during fasting days. But if you want, you can add in whole garam masala for extra flavor.
• If not preparing for fasting, add in your choice of vegetables and make it more wholesome meal.