MURG PULAO

On days when I do not feel like spending much time in the kitchen, I choose this type of recipes to be cooked, that gets me less time spent in the kitchen with happier faces at the dining table. The carnivore duo at home are not fond of plain rice, when they get to see meat in some fried rice, they would enjoy it. They prefer one-pot meals, specially the senior does not want me to spend much time in the kitchen. I love being in the kitchen though there are days when I enjoy smart cooking. Yesterday was such a day. I planned to cook this Murg Pulao and serve it with raita and salad. Incorporating cucumber, tomato, carrot in the raita makes the platter a wholesome and tasty one. I prepared the pulao in the most simplest way with few spices. Had my men gladly ate bowls of raita & plates of salad, I would have happily cooked such  hassle free meals! That they would not do and I would not let them go without having good amount of vegetables, it is a necessity!

INGREDIENTS :

Chicken : 500gm
Rice : 1coffee mug [I used fragrant, short grain KALIJEERA rice]
Cashew Nut : 8-10 [halved]
Raisins : 10-12 
Ginger Paste : 1tsp
Garlic Paste : 1tbsp
Onion Paste : 2-3 tbsp
Lemon Juice : 2tbsp

Chopped Green Chilli : 1 tsp
Cinnamon Stick : 2one inch
Green Cardamom : 2-3
Cloves : 2-3

Bayleaf : 3-4
Red Chilli Powder : 1tsp

Cumin Powder : 1 tsp

Coriander Powder : 1 tsp
Turmeric Powder : 1tsp
Salt : As Required
Oil : 3tbsp
Ghee : 1/2 small tea cup

METHOD :

Wash the chicken pieces and marinate with salt, wash after an hour, thoroughly! Thereafter, marinate with  turmeric+cumin+coriander+red chilli powders, 2 tbsp oil, ginger+onion+garlic pastes, lemon juice. Keep aside for half an hour to 45 minutes!

Heat a wok! Add the marinated chicken, fold in well. Cover cook for 10-15 minutes stirring at regular intervals. After about half an hour, it should be done! If it releases enough water, we need not add water! Transfer to a bowl!

Wash the rice and drain the water! Spread a newspaper on the table & spread the rice grains on it! The rice grains would get free of water & get dry!

Take a heavy bottomed vessel or wok. Heat the oil and ghee together. Saute the cashews for a minute and take off. Temper with bayleaves, cinnamon sticks, green cardamoms, cloves, chopped green chillies.

Add the rice,  keep stirring for 7-8 minutes until the colour change. Add water double  of the rice using the same cup that measured the rice. Add some salt & sugar as required.

Give a stir & over cook at low heat for 10-12 minutes. When the rice is 80%done, add 1tsp ghee, the fried cashews and raisins. Add the chicken making some space in the middle! Cover cook for 6-7 minutes at minimal heat!

Lightly mix with a ladle. Turn off the gas stove after 2 minutes. Let it stand for 10-15 minutes. Shake well before serving.