Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • 1.5 cups rice (soaked for 15 minutes and drained)
  • 2 onions (sliced finely)
  • 1 green chili (sliced [adjust to taste])
  • 1 potato (cut into cubes [use 2 potatoes if using small ones])
  • ⅓ cup green peas [i used frozen]
  • 2.5 teaspoons ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • ½ teaspoon coriander powder
  • 3 tablespoons oil
  • salt (to taste)
  • garam masala powder (to sprinkle)
  • cilantro leaves (chopped, to garnish)
  • 2.25 - 2.5 cups water
  • 7-8 small peppercorns
  • 1 star anise
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2-3 black cardamom
  • 5 cloves
  • 1 sprig of mace
  • 2 small cinnamon stick
  • 2 green cardamom pods

Instruction

  • Soak rice in enough water for 15-20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a pan on medium heat. Once the oil is hot add cumin seeds and let them sizzle.
  • Add the whole spices - bay leaves, cloves, black cardamom, green cardamom, cinnamon stick, mace, peppercorns and star anise. Saute for few seconds till you get a nice aroma of all the spices.
  • Add the sliced red onions, sliced green chili and cook for 2 minutes or till they become translucent and there's no raw smell.
  • Add ginger garlic paste [fresh is preferred] and cook for 2-3 minutes or till the raw smell goes away.
  • Add the cubed potatoes and green peas and give a good mix.
  • Now add turmeric powder, salt, coriander powder and mix.
  • Cover the pan and let the potatoes cook for 2-3 minutes on medium heat.
  • Remove the cover , the potatoes will be slightly cooked by now. Add 2.25 - 2.5 cups of water and let it come to a boil.
  • Once the water starts boiling, add the soaked and drained rice to the pan.
  • Mix lightly till combined. Be gentle while mixing as you don't want to crush the rice grains.
  • Cover the pan tightly with a lid and let the rice cook on medium heat for 10-15 minutes or till rice is soft and nicely cooked.
  • Add chopped fresh cilantro leaves. You can also squeeze in some fresh lemon juice here.
  • Serve aloo matar tehri hot with some yogurt on the side.