Shahjahani Pulao - Multi Colored Pulao

                                                                 
This is a special type of pulao which is a clear change from the day to day plain rice which we are used to have. Being a multi layered colorful preparation adds to the vibrancy of this preparation amongst both children or adults. Hope by preparing this meal , you would receive a number of compliments from your family and friends for bringing variety in their meals.


Ingredients:
2 cups Basmati rice
3 Onions
2 Black Cardamom
1" inch Cinnamon stick
3-4 Bay leaves
2 Green cardamoms
1 tsp Jeera
3-4 Cloves(Laung)
12 Black peppercorns
1 1/2 Red chilli powder
2 1/4 tsp Salt or according to your taste
2 tbsp Ghee/oil


For Decoration
1/2 cup boiled Peas
2 Tomatoes, cut into thin round slices
75 gms Paneer
1 Carrot
3-4 Green chillies
Food color -Red & Yellow
!/2 cup Cashews and raisins


Method:
Wash and soak rice for 1/2 hour. In the meantime chop onion into thin lengthwise strips. Heat oil/ghee in a large pan and add bay leaves, green cardamom, black cardamom, cinnamon stick, cloves and peppercorns, when these spices start to leave theri aroma add onions and fry until it turns brown. Add red chilly powder, salt and add rice to the pan and fry for 2-3 minutes. Now add double amount of water into the rice.  Since I have used 2 cups rice here, I added 4 cups of water. Bring first boil on high speed then cover and let it cook on low flame till water evaporates.


On another skillet heat ghee add green peas stir fry for a minute and keep aside. In the remaining oil add carrot and sprinkle salt, fry for a minute and keep aside. Finally add paneer pieces and fry for a short period on low flame and keep aside. Don't over fry paneer here or they will become hard. Distribute the rice into three portions, add red color in one portion, add yellow color in one portion and leave alone the third portion for the white color.Now take a heavy bottomed vessel and grease the bottom with little ghee so that rice doesn't stick to the bottom and place the tomato slices first, sprinkle some cashews and raisins. Spread the red color rice evenly, then decorate with fried carrot.Above the layer of carrot spread white rice and decorate that layer with green peas. Finally spread yellow rice and decorate with paneer pieces. Cover the vessel with a heavy lid and let this cook on low flame for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and dig through all the 3 layers to make sure that plate has all the colors to please your eye first before delighting your taste buds. Have this rice with Mixed Vegetables in Cream and Coconut Gravy or any curry of your choice.

Look at the beautiful layers of rice here.....