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Plain Pulao Recipe (Basmati Pulao)

Plain Pulao or Basmati pulao is a fragrant rice dish made with basmati rice, whole spices, dried fruits, nuts, saffron and ghee. This simple pulao can be served with any spicy accompaniments like chicken gravy, paneer butter masala or peas curry. Learn how to make fluffy pulao with step by step pictures and video.
3.34 from 6 votes
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 390kcal
Author: Aarthi

Equipment

  • Cooking pot

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Basmati Rice
  • 2 cups Water
  • 2 tsp Salt
  • ½ tsp Sugar
  • 1 tsp Lemon Juice optional

For Tempering Spices

  • 4 tbsp Ghee
  • 1 tsp Shahi Jeera | Black Cumin Seeds
  • 1 inch Cinnamon Stick
  • 4 pods Cardamom
  • 3 no Cloves
  • 1 no Bay Leaf

Nuts & Dried Fruits

  • ¼ cup Cashews
  • ¼ cup Kishmish | Golden Raisins

For Steeping Saffron

  • ¼ tsp Saffron
  • 3 tbsp Warm Milk

Instructions

  • Wash and soak rice for 30 mins. Strain in a colander and set aside.
  • Heat ghee in a pot, add nuts and raisins and fry till golden. Strain and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, take saffron in a bowl, add warm milk and let it sit for 5 mins.
  • In the same pan, add whole spices and mix well. Add in water and rice. Add salt and sugar and mix well. Bring it to a boil, and boil for 5 mins on high heat till most of the water is absorbed. Now cover the pan with a lid and put it on lowest heat possible and cook for 5 more mins.
  • Now open the pan, add saffron milk and cover it again and cook for 5 more mins on very low heat. Now remove the pan from heat and add fried raisins and cashews. Set aside for 5 mins. Fluff up the rice and serve.

Video

Notes

  • Soak basmati rice for atleast 30 mins. You can soak it anywhere from 30 mins to 1 hour. Add 2 parts water to 1 part rice. 
  • Use good quality ghee, basmati rice and saffron, because those are the ones which gives the aroma.
  • Once pulao is done cooking, turn off the heat and let the pulao stand for at least 5 minutes before fluffing the rice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 390kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 1181mg | Potassium: 223mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 42IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 2mg
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