Quick and Easy Tawa Pulao

“Tawa Pulao” is a common street food  in Mumbai, made on a huge iron griddle.  I had always heard about it but never had the opportunity to taste it.  It is a rice dish with mixed vegetables and some spices; the typical spice used in this quick one-pot dish is Pav Bhaji masala powder.

Normally, pav bhaji masala is used to make another street food called Pav Bhaji which is a thick potato gravy with lots of vegetables and spiced with this amazing masala powder and served with toasted bread.

I had a lot of leftover rice and this recipe popped into my mind.  What other better time to try “Tawa Pulao” than now.

Quick and Easy Tawa Pulao

Serves 4

Ingredients:

Basmati or any long grained rice: 1 cup (cooked)

Onions: 1 medium, chopped

Ginger: ½  inch piece, grated or chopped

Garlic : 2 medium cloves, grated or chopped

Green chillies : 1, chopped or sliced

Capsicum or bell pepper : 1 medium, chopped

Carrot : 1 medium, chopped

Tomato : 2 medium, chopped

Red chilli powder : ½ tsp, or more if you want spicy

Turmeric  powder  : ½ tsp

Pav Bhaji Masala powder: 2  tsps (adjust the quantity as you require)

Oil : 2 tsp

Butter  or ghee : 1 tbsp

Cumin or Jeera : ½ tsp

Salt to taste

Lemon juice : ½ tsp

Coriander leaves : for garnishing

Method:

On a flat griddle (tawa) or if you prefer in a kadai or pan or wok, heat the oil and butter or ghee.

Add the cumin seeds and sauté till it sizzles.

Add the onions and fry for a few seconds.  Mix in the ginger, garlic and green chillies and fry for about a minute.

Add the bell pepper, carrots and fry for about two minutes.

Mix in the chopped tomatoes, turmeric and chilli powder and sauté for a few seconds. Pour in a few tablespoons of water and cook the tomato till it becomes slightly soft.

Add the pav bhaji masala and fry for a minute more.

Add the cooked rice and salt and mix well gently till heated through.

Squeeze the lemon juice over it, mix gently again and garnish with the coriander leaves.

Serve hot.

Note:

You can use peas, green beans or any other vegetable of your choice.

Spice level can be adjusted to your liking.

Make sure grains of the cooked rice are separate and not too soft.

If you do not have Pav Bhaji Masala powder, feel free to use any other mixed masala powder, like Kitchen King powder, Shahi Paneer Masala powder (or any other you have in your pantry) etc.