Asparagus Brussels Sprouts Pulav

# of servings:  4	Soak Time:  20 mins
Preparation Time:  5 mins	Cook Time:  25 mins

Call it as 'Pulav' or 'Pulao', this is a simple and very quick way of making it!   Made with minimal steps, this sumptuous dish needs very little active time and yields a fabulous result.  It can easily be personalized with any choice of veggies, as per preference as well. 

Ingredients:

• Rice - 2 cups
• Water - 4 cups
• Asparagus - 2 cups
• Brussels sprouts - 2 cups
• Mixed veggies of choice (optional) - potatoes, bell peppers, carrots, peas, corn and green beans, lima beans, soybeans - 2-3 cups 
• Green chili paste - 1 tsp 
• Bay leaf - 1-2
• Black pepper - 1 tsp
• Fennel seeds - 1.5 tsp
• Cinnamon - 1 inch
• Cloves - 6
• Green cardamom - 5
• Salt
• Lemon - 1

Method:

• Wash and drain the rice.  Set it aside for 20 mins
• Chop the asparagus into 1inch pieces 
• Make a coarse powder of black pepper, fennel, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom (along with skin and seeds)
• Heat sufficient oil in a cooker vessel ('Saute' mode in IP)
• Add the bay leaf
• Add the powdered spices and saute for a few seconds
• Add the green chili paste and saute
• Add the chopped asparagus and stir for a couple minutes
• Add the Brussels sprouts and stir
• If using any other veggies, add them and stir similarly
• Add the washed rice and stir well  
• Add the salt and the water measured
• Mix well and close the pressure cooker lid
• Pressure cook well ('Pressure' mode for 3 mins in IP) and NPR (Natural Pressure Release)
• Zest the lemon and squeeze the juice of the lemon
• Allow cooling for at least 10-15 minutes before dishing out the pulav
• Toss gently with a fork, making sure to not break the grains of rice
• Dish out the pulav into a plate 
• Sprinkle some zest and drizzle the lemon juice on top
• Decorate with a sprig of mint (if desired) on top
• Serve hot with some raita or even some plain yogurt! 

Tips and Tricks:

• Washing the rice and letting it sit makes the rice less sticky and cooks perfectly for pulav
• Be sure not to use any extra water or the rice will become mushy due to the water content in the vegetables and tomatoes
• Allowing the rice to cool down for a few minutes allows the grains to keep their shape and not become a mushy lump

Pictures: 

Final Outcome: