
This recipe has been in my camera archives for months; I just never got around to posting it. I modified this recipe and made it in the instant pot instead of the pressure cooker and it turned out amazing!! It is a simple yet flavorful dish that is extremely comforting!
You can add any vegetables that you like -I just used what I had on hand. My favorite part is that it comes together in just 30 minutes!! I love making this with chole chana, but it’s just as good and filling to be a standalone meal It is also kid friendly – I serve it to Ahaan with yogurt to tone down the spice level. Hope you guys enjoy it!
Stay happy, stay hungry!

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes | Total time: 30 minutes | Makes: 4 servings |
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Basmati Rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 small potato, chopped
- 4-5 cloves of garlic, chopped
- 1 inch ginger, grated
- 1 jalapeño, chopped
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, and green beans), thawed
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- ½ tsp mustart seeds
- 3 whole cloves
- 3 whole pepper corns
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 red dried chili
- ¼ tsp asafetida (hing)
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp cumin coriander powder (dhana jeeru)
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp Mdh puloa masala (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Cilantro, chopped (optional)
Directions:
- Rinse the rice well and set aside.
- Set your instant pot on sauté mode for 10 minutes.
- Add oil; once the oil is hot, add cumin seeds and mustard seeds. Once the seeds start to splatter, add cloves, peppercorn, bay leaf, dried red chili, and asafetida.
- Add onions and let cook until translucent (3-4 minutes).
Then add the garlic, ginger, jalapeño, and potatoes cook for about 2 minutes. Add the frozen vegetables and all the remaining spices – mix everything well; add a couple of tbsp of water to deglaze the pot.
- Add the rice and water, mix well. Close the lid and seal the knob.
Pressure cook for 10 minutes on high. (You can use natural release or quick release)
- Mix everything well, garnish with cilantro (if using) and serve hot!
Notes:
- You can serve this with raita or plain yogurt.
- You can use any kind of rice you have on hand, I prefer basmati because of the longer grain.
- MDH pulao masala can be found at any local Indian grocery store.
- You don’t need to pre-soak the rice, if the rice is pre soaked; it reduces the cooking time by a couple of minutes.

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