Tawa Pulao Recipe: Mumbai Street Food

I have never lived in Mumbai before & tawa pulao is not one of  the things I craved to eat during my visits to India. For me, tawa pulao is a dish cooked at home. I never got a chance to eat them in food joints or restaurants. I learnt this from a Maharastrian friend of mine & have been cooking this from many years!

The twist to this pulao is the addition of Pav Bhaji masala which adds a zing to it & makes it flavorful.Also, this is one of the better options to utilize the left over rice. Isn't it a 2-in-1 bonanza?


Preparation Time: 15 mins
Cooking Time: 15 mins (excluding the rice cooking time)

Ingredients: (Serves: 2-3)
Cooked rice: 3 cups
Oil: 1-2 tbsp
Cumin seeds: 1/4 tsp
Ginger-garlic paste: 1/2 tsp
Tomato: 1 no, medium sized (finely chopped)
Onion: 1 tbsp, finely chopped
Bell pepper: 1 tbsp, finely chopped
Finely chopped veggies: 2 tbsp ( I have used french beans & carrots)
Frozen peas: 1 tsp, optional
Pav bhaji masala: 1 tsp
Red chilli paste or powder: 1/2 tsp, adjust accordingly
Salt: As needed

For the garnish:
Coriander leaves: 1 tbsp
Lemon juice: 1 tsp, optional



Method:
Heat oil in a broad pan.
** I used tawa/griddle to show that tawa pulao is actually made on a griddle/tawa.
When oil is hot, throw in the cumin seeds. When cumin seeds turn brown, add the onions.

Saute until the onion turns translucent. Add the ginger garlic paste & saute again. Cook the ginger garlic paste for a couple of mins or until the raw smell disappears.
Follow it by bell peppers & saute again.
Add the finely chopped veggies & cook it on a medium heat until the vegetables are almost cooked.

Add the finely chopped tomatoes & cook until the tomatoes are soft & slightly mushy.
Throw in the frozen peas,  pav bhaji masala, red chilli paste or powder, salt & give it a mix.
Finally add the cooked rice, and mix well. Let the rice heat up for a couple of mins.

Garnish the rice with coriander leaves & lemon juice. Mix well before serving.


Notes:

• If you are using left over rice, break the rice gently & try to keep the grains separate. Mushy or over cooked rice will spoil the pulao.
• You could add precooked vegetables too.