Spiced Chicken Rice

This recipe is a twist on the traditional pulao/pilaf rice.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil

1/2 chicken breast, boiled & shredded

1 tsp whole cumin seeds

1-2 bay leaves

2 green chillies, slit

1 onion, chopped finely

1-2 garlic cloves, chopped finely

1 inch cinnamon stick

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp lemon juice

1/4 - 1/2 cup frozen green peas

1 tbsp dried coriander leaves

2 cups rice, soaked for atleast 15 mins and drained

Salt for seasoning

Method:

1. In a deep saucepan, heat oil, add cumin seeds and bay leaves. Once the cumin seeds start to splutter, add the green chilli, chopped garlic and chicken.

2. Toss the mix for a minute and then add the chopped onion. Saute until translucent, add the cinnamon stick, coriander leaves and drained rice. Fry until the rice is coated with the oil & onion mix.

3. Add 4 cups of boiling water, turmeric, lemon juice and green peas, stir and let it boil on medium heat. Season with salt. Once it starts to boil, cover and cook for exactly 5 mins. Turn off the heat. The rice should cook in the steam. If rice is not cooked you can keep for another minute, but care it should not start to burn. Normally the rice will cook in the steam and should be ready and fluffy to serve in 5 minutes.