Restaurant Style Navratna Pulao

One of the most popular rice recipes in India, this Restaurant-Style Navratan Pulao is made by cooking nine types of vegetables and dry fruits. It is delicious with a little hint of sweetness. Serve this jewel of a rice dish with any raita, dal, or curry. Great for any parties and get-togethers.

Ingredients Needed?

Rice- We need two cups of cooked basmati rice. The quality of this pulao will depend on how separate your rice grains are. Many people will ask if they can use other types of rice in making this pulao, but here is a suggestion: Please only use basmati rice for this. No other rice will taste good or look good in this recipe.

Veggies- You can use green beans, carrots, cauliflower, Green peas, or your choice of veggies. Chop the veggies into bite-sized pieces and blanch them. Keep them aside.

Dry fruits - I have used roasted cashews, roasted almonds, raisins, and tutti frutti.Instead of Tutti Frutti, you can always use dry cranberries.

Fried Paneer - Cut the paneer into small cubes and fry them until they are slightly golden in color.

Whole Garam Masala- Cinnamon sticks, cloves, bay leaves, star anise, green cardamom.

Herbs- I have used fresh mint and fresh cilantro. Use the same for the most flavorful and fragrant pulao.

How to make?

1. The first step is to make the white rice. Cool it and keep it aside.
2. Chop all the veggies, and blanch them.
3. Fry the chopped paneer cubes til they are golden.
4. Now, take a pan and add ghee to it. When it's hot, add whole garam masala and cumin seeds. Let them crackle.
5. Add all the dry fruits to the pan and saute them for a minute.
6. Add all the vegetables and sauté them until they look cooked but are still crunchy.
7. Add the cooked basmati rice to the pan and gently mix everything.
8. Add the fried paneer, mint, and cilantro leaves at this time. Mix everything.
9. Add Pomegranate seeds to the pulao, give everything a nice mix, and pour some saffron water /milk on top. Serve with raita, curry, or dal and savor the flavors.
10. Enjoy.

Can we prepare this pulao in advance?

Yes. In case we are having a party or get together, we can prepare this pulao in 4-6 hours in advance, and it can be served warm.

Serving Suggestion,

Serve this with raita, dal, or curry: Dal Bukhara,Dal Makhani,Langar wali dal.or Bengali Aloo Dum, Dum Aloo/Dum Alu.Malai Kofta/ Restaurant Style Malai Kofta.

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