Chana pulao is a one pot rice dish. Traditionally pulao is basically cooking rice in one pot along with lots of fragrant spices. Also basmati rice are used in this recipe. But base of any kind of pulao is browning of onions. If you want to get some certain amount of color, texture and taste first thing you have to do is properly brown the onions. Rice and soft chickpeas is an ultimate and classic combination.

Ingredients

1/3 cup cooking oil
½ tsp whole black peppercorns
1/3 tsp cloves
1 whole black cardamom
2 bay leaves
½ tsp cumin seeds
2-3 medium size onion, thinly sliced
4-5 cloves of garlic
½ inch piece of ginger
2-3 green chilies
1 tsp crushed coriander seeds
2 medium sized tomatoes, chopped
2 cups boiled chickpeas
½ tsp salt
1 tsp red chili powder
¼ cup yogurt
7 cups water
1 tsp garam masala
2 tsp salt
1 lemon, slices
4 cups basmati rice, soaked in water for 3-4 hours

Procedure

1. In a big pot add cooking oil. Preheat oil on medium heat. Add whole peppercorns, cloves, black cardamom, bay leaves and cumin seeds. Fry all the spices on medium heat until fragrant. It will take about 2 minutes.
2. Add thinly sliced onions and fry on low to medium heat until get golden brown in color. Peel off ginger and garlic. Wash well ginger, garlic and green chilies. Add ginger, garlic, green chilies and crushed coriander seeds and make a paste.
3. Add that paste in fried onion, cook for 4 minutes or until ginger and garlic get golden color. Add chopped tomatoes, cook until tomatoes get soft. Add boiled chickpeas and stir it well. Add salt and red chili powder. Stir it well.
4. Lightly whisk yogurt and add it. Mix well. Add water, garam masala and salt. Stir it well. Cover the pot with a lid. Bring the liquid to a boil. When the liquid comes to a boil add lemon slices. Add soaked basmati rice. Stir it. Cover the lid for 3-4 minutes.
5. Open the lid, lightly stir the rice. Turn the flame to low and tightly seal the lid using any kitchen towel. Let the rice to cook completely for about 15-20 minutes. Turn off the flame and open the lid. Serve.

Video