Peas pulav

Serving size : 4
Total preparation time  10 mins
Cooking time : 10 mins

Ingredients :
1 cup basmati rice, presoaked for 10 mins
1 cup fresh/frozen green peas
2 cups water
1 cube maggi vegetable stock cube
1 tbpsn ghee
1 tspn ginger paste
1 tspn garlic paste

For the spice mixture :
1/2 inch cinnamon stick
1 green cardamom
2 black pepper corns
2 cloves
1 bay leaf
1 red chili
1 tspn shahi jeera/ black cumin seeds

Method :
Heat ghee on medium heat in a pressure cooker. Add the freshly ground spice mixture once the oil is hot and stir fry for 1 min. Now add the ginger garlic. Add the strained presoaked rice and fry the rice in the oil and spices for about 2 mins. Add the water followed by the mashed vegetable stock cube. Mix well and close the lid. Cook in the pressure cooker on medium heat  for about 2 whistles or about 8 mins. Turn off the heat, transfer to a serving bowl. Serve hot with any spicy Indian curry.

Tips :
Making a freshly ground mixture with the whole spices gives a better flavor without pieces/ chunks of spices coming into the mouth while eating.
Roasting the basmati rice in the ghee infused with the spices gives it a good flavor and length upon cooking.