Soya Chunks Pulao| Meal Maker Pulao in Pressure Cooker

I try to include soya chunks because they are so healthy. soya chunks Pulao or meal maker pulao is one of the protein enriched easy pulao that one can make. 


They have the same texture of meat so they make a great substitute for chicken or any meat..They are high in protein too..I make a whole lots of stuff out of it like korma, briyani or cutlets.
This is one of the simple pulao which is made out of that. This taste so good, now I am making this more often..It can be served without any side dish, however a simple onion raita or a mint raita also goes well with this pulao


soya chunks pulao can be made in a pressure cooker or in a pot.YOu can add veggies like carrots,peas,french beans,capsicum cauliflower along with soya chunks

I have added potatoes & cooked pulao in pressure cooker.
You can check other rice varieties here

Ingredients:

Soya Chunks – 1/2 to 3/4 cup 
Basmati Rice – 1 cup
Onion – 2 large sliced thinly ( Reserve some for deep frying)
Ginger Garlic Paste – 2 tblspn
Tomatoes – 3 large chopped finely
Green Chilli – 2 slit
Mint Leaves – ½  cup
Coriander leaves / Cilantro – ½  cup
Curd – 1 cup ( Thick )
Chilli powder – 2 tsp
Coriander powder / Malli Podi – 1 tblspn
Turmeric Powder / Manjal Podi – 1 tsp
Garam masala /biryani masala – 1 tblspn
Salt to taste
Oil- 1 tblspn
Butter or Ghee – 2 tblspn
Lemon Juice- 1 tblsp
potat0 - 2 Cut in wedges

Whole Spices:
Cinnamon  – 1 small stick
Cumin Seed  – 1 tsp
Star Anise – 1 small piece
Cardamom  – 4
Cloves  – 4
Bay Leaf  – 1
Cashews –
Raisan / Kishmish – 1 tblspn




Method:

Wash basmati rice in lots of water. Soak it for 30 mins. Drain and set aside till use.

Boil water with 1/4 tsp salt and add the soya chunks. Cook in medium flame for 10 minutes. 
Rise with cold water and squeeze it till dry and again repeat it. Keep aside.

Heat 1 tblspn of butter and 1 tblspn of oil in a pressure cooker. Add all wholes spices in the list and sauté for 1 mins.

Add onions and green chilli and sauté till golden brown. Add ginger garlic paste and sauté for a min.add potato wedges



Add in tomatoes and cook till they turn mushy. .Add in coriander leaves and mint leaves and mix well.Add curd, soya sauce, chilli powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, salt and mix well.

Add in cooked soya chunks and mix well. Add in soaked drained rice and mix well.
Pour in 2 cups of water and bring this to a boil. Simmer the flame and cook covered for 15-20 mins until the rice is cooked and absorbed all the water.



Cook rice in  till very little water is left. Lower the flame, cover and cook till the rice is done.



 If using pressure cooker, after boil in water close the lid and pressure cook it for 1 whistle . after 1 whistle remove from flame ,release extra pressure from cooker .open cooker lid & fluff rice with fork & allow it to cool.do not keep cooker lid closed or your biryani will become soft & mushy

Fry onions in a tblspn of ghee or butter and fry till golden brown. Pour this onions over the rice and mix gently.

Garnish with coriander leaves and a squeeze of lemon juice and serve.

Tips:

1. Washing and squeezing the cooked soya chunks completely, ensures to get rid of the smell.
2. You can add vegetables along this too.