Tawa Pulao (Spicy Pan Fried Vegetable Rice)

Tawa Pulao (Tawa:Pan, Pulao:Fried Rice) is Mumbai street food. This dish was unheard of to me until I started blogging. The recipe can be found in abundance in the blog world as well as this specific food blog. Pao Bhaji masala, as a key ingredient in a rice dish, was something new to me yet seemed to strike a chord. Being a Delhite, I had never had this dish in my life. But from the sounds of it, the dish was tempting both to cook and to eat.

I think this dish is a perfect, wholesome, vegetarian, one-pot dish with all sorts of nutrition packed together. A treat, especially for those fond of rice. Try it for yourself and devour the results.

Serves 8.

Ingredients:
1. Pao Bhaji masala, 8 tsp
2. Kitchen King masala, 4 tsp
3. Garam masala, 3 tsp
4. Onions, 3 (medium size), sliced
5. Potatoes 2, chopped and diced.
6. Bay leaves 3-4
7. A pinch of heeng
8. Oil
9. Carrots, 3, peeled and diced.
10. Peas, 1/2 cup
11. Green beans, 1 -2cup.
12. Lemon juice, to taste
13. Steamed Rice, 4 cups
14. Red chili powder, 1-2 tsp
15. Garlic, 3-4 pods, minced
16. Ginger, 2 inch, minced
17. 1 tomato, chopped

Instructions:
1. Heat a non-stick pan or wok.
2. Add oil and bay leaves
3. In a few minutes, add the minced garlic-ginger and sliced onions.
4. Caramelize on medium high heat.
5. Add in potatoes and mix well.
6. Add kitchen king masala, pao bhaji masala and cook on high heat until the oil starts to leave the potatoes and spice mix.
7. Next add the carrots and cover and cook until the veggies are all dente.
8. Add peas, green beans, tomatoes, lemon juice, red chili powder, and garam masala.
9. Mix well and cover and cook for another 5 mins on low-medium heat.
10. Divide the cooked vegetables into parts and rice into parts (can be done mentally). For each portion of rice, add one portion of the vegetables. Then mix everything together. It will help you get a even mixture of veggies and spices in the rice. (Alternatively, line a layer of rice in a pan then a layer of veggies and alternate until done.)

Serve warm with mint cucumber raita.

Thanks to the bloggers who inspired me to try this recipe!